Effect of irradiation temperature on microstructure of ferritic-martensitic ODS steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klimenkov, M.; Lindau, R.; Jäntsch, U.; Möslang, A.

2017-09-01

The EUROFER-ODS alloy with 0.5% Y2O3 was neutron irradiated with doses up to 16.2 dpa at 250 °C, 350 °C and 450 °C. The radiation induced changes in the microstructure (e.g. dislocation loops and voids) were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The number density of radiation induced defects was found to be significantly lower than in EUROFER 97 irradiated at the same conditions. It was found that the appearance and extent of radiation damage strongly depend not only on the irradiation temperature but also on the local number density and size distribution of ODS particles. The higher number density of dislocation loops and voids was found in the local areas with low number density of ODS particles. The interstitial loops with Burgers vector of both ½<111> and <100> types were detected by imaging using different diffraction conditions.

Improving accuracy of cell and chromophore concentration measurements using optical density

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background UV–vis spectrophotometric optical density (OD) is the most commonly-used technique for estimating chromophore formation and cell concentration in liquid culture. OD wavelength is often chosen with little thought given to its effect on the quality of the measurement. Analysis of the contributions of absorption and scattering to the measured optical density provides a basis for understanding variability among spectrophotometers and enables a quantitative evaluation of the applicability of the Beer-Lambert law. This provides a rational approach for improving the accuracy of OD measurements used as a proxy for direct dry weight (DW), cell count, and pigment levels. Results For pigmented organisms, the choice of OD wavelength presents a tradeoff between the robustness and the sensitivity of the measurement. The OD at a robust wavelength is primarily the result of light scattering and does not vary with culture conditions; whereas, the OD at a sensitive wavelength is additionally dependent on light absorption by the organism’s pigments. Suitably robust and sensitive wavelengths are identified for a wide range of organisms by comparing their spectra to the true absorption spectra of dyes. The relative scattering contribution can be reduced either by measurement at higher OD, or by the addition of bovine serum albumin. Reduction of scattering or correlation with off-peak light attenuation provides for more accurate assessment of chromophore levels within cells. Conversion factors between DW, OD, and colony-forming unit density are tabulated for 17 diverse organisms to illustrate the scope of variability of these correlations. Finally, an inexpensive short pathlength LED-based flow cell is demonstrated for the online monitoring of growth in a bioreactor at culture concentrations greater than 5 grams dry weight per liter which would otherwise require off-line dilutions to obtain non-saturated OD measurements. Conclusions OD is most accurate as a time-saving proxy measurement for biomass concentration when light attenuation is dominated by scattering. However, the applicability of OD-based correlations is highly dependent on the measurement specifications (spectrophotometer model and wavelength) and culture conditions (media type; growth stage; culture stress; cell/colony geometry; presence and concentration of secreted compounds). These variations highlight the importance of treating literature conversion factors as rough approximations as opposed to concrete constants. There is an opportunity to optimize measurements of cell pigment levels by considering scattering and absorption-dependent wavelengths of the OD spectrum. PMID:24499615

[Optic density of gastric content in the rapid assessment of pulmonary maturity of the newborn].

PubMed

Brandell, L; Sepúlveda, W H; Araneda, H; Mangiamarchi, M

1991-01-01

The authors studied the correlation between optical density at 650 nm (OD650) in paired samples of amniotic fluid and newborn gastric aspirate obtained from 50 pregnant women who underwent cesarean delivery and from their respective newborns. There was a good correlation between both samples (r = 0.92), which demonstrates that OD650 is a reliable method for studying neonatal pulmonary maturity, especially in those high-risk cases in which no prenatal study is available. None of the infants with mature readings (OD650 > or = 0.10) and 6 out of 13 infants with immature readings (OD650 < 0.10) developed RDS.

SU-E-T-672: Real-Time In Vivo Dosimeters Using LiPCDA and Optical Fibers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rink, A; Jaffray, DA; Croteau, A

2015-06-15

Purpose: To investigate dosimeter prototypes made with lithium pentacosa-10,12-diynoate (LiPCDA, the material used in GafChromic EBT films) and optical fibers for their suitability in real-time in vivo measurements. Methods: The prototypes, made with 500 µm plastic optical fibers and 8.5 µm thickness of LiPCDA at fiber tip, were irradiated with a 6 MV beam. To investigate the efficacy of pre-irradiation calibration, the probes were irradiated to 2 Gy twice, with 5 minutes in between. Net optical density values (netOD) around the main absorbance peak were compared, and effect of correcting second measurement by the first was assessed. Ageing was assessedmore » by irradiating two prototypes to 2 Gy and comparing the netOD to that obtained for 15 prototypes from the same batch 12–14 months earlier. To measure angular dependence, the probes were pre-irradiated with beam perpendicular to fiber axis and then, 5 minutes later either perpendicular or parallel to fiber axes. The thickness-corrected netOD measurements were compared. Results: Standard deviation of netOD for probes of the same batch was measured to be 5–6%. When netOD was corrected for material thickness by using results from the first irradiation, the standard deviation decreased to 1.3%. This was comparable to the uncertainty in measurements observed with a single probe and is attributed to variations in light output, spectrometer noise and splitter-to-probe connection variations. Comparison of netOD values obtained a year apart failed to illustrate statistically significant decrease in sensitivity due to ageing (0.38 ± 0.03 and 0.3656 ± 0.0003). NetOD measured with MV beam parallel to fiber was within error of netOD measured with MV beam perpendicular to fiber. Conclusion: Current prototype construction allows for shelf life of at least one year. With material thickness corrected for, the prototypes can measure dose with an uncertainty below 2% at a given energy and dose rate. This work has been funded by the Ontario Centres of Excellence Market Readiness grant. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.« less

A comparison of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation on cobalt-chrome and titanium-alloy spinal implants.

PubMed

Patel, Shalin S; Aruni, Wilson; Inceoglu, Serkan; Akpolat, Yusuf T; Botimer, Gary D; Cheng, Wayne K; Danisa, Olumide A

2016-09-01

The use of cobalt chrome (CoCr) implants in spinal surgery has become increasingly popular. However, there have been no studies specifically comparing biofilm formation on CoCr with that of titanium-alloy spinal implants. The objective of this study was to compare the difference in propensity for biofilm formation between these two materials, as it specifically relates to spinal rods. Staphylococcus aureus subsp. Aureus (ATCC 6538) were incubated with two different types of spinal rods composed of either CoCr or titanium-alloy. The spinal rods were then subject to a trypsin wash to allow for isolation of the colonized organism and associated biofilms. The associated optical density values (OD) from the bacterial isolates were obtained and the bacterial solutions were plated on brain-heart infusion agar plates and the resultant colony-forming units (CFU) were counted. The OD values for the titanium-alloy rods were 1.105±0.096nm (mean±SD) and 1.040±0.026nm at 48hours and 96hours, respectively. In contrast, the OD values for the CoCr rods were 1.332±0.161nm and 1.115±0.207nm at 48 and 96hours, respectively (p<0.05). The CFU values were 1481±417/100mm(2) and 745±159/100mm(2) at 48 and 96hours, respectively for the titanium-alloy group. These values were significantly lower than the CFU values obtained from the CoCr group which were 2721±605/100mm(2) and 928±88/100mm(2) (p<0.001) at both 48 and 96hours respectively. Our findings, evaluating both the OD and CFU values, indicate that implants composed of CoCr had a higher proclivity towards biofilm formation compared to titanium-alloy implants. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation and reporting of enzyme immunoassay determinations of antibody to herpes simplex virus in sera and cerebrospinal fluid.

PubMed Central

Cremer, N E; Cossen, C K; Hanson, C V; Shell, G R

1982-01-01

Several methods for evaluating and reporting enzyme immunoassay (EIA) determinations of antibody to herpes simplex virus derived from one dilution of single serum samples were studied. An EIA ratio method for serological evidence of current infection from paired serum samples was also evaluated. Optical density (OD) of the reaction at a 1:100 serum dilution and estimated titers obtained by reference of the OD of the serum dilution to a standard curve were compared to the corresponding plotted EIA titer obtained by titration to endpoint. Neither the OD per se nor the estimated titer was completely predictive of the plotted titer (correlation coefficient [r] of 0.824 and 0.817, respectively), and they provided only a semiquantitative measurement of antibody concentration. For an antibody status report, however, OD would be sufficient if related to the cutoff value as an EIA index (OD of sample divided by cutoff OD for positive specimens). The OD of the EIA reaction at a single dilution (1:5) of cerebrospinal fluid, on the other hand, correlated quite well with the titer obtained by titration (r = 0.950). For serological diagnosis of current infection, the OD ratio of convalescence-phase/acute-phase sera was determined at several dilutions. A ratio of greater than or equal to 1.54 was calculated as a reliable index for a significant rise in antibody concentration and compatible with current infection. By determining the convalescent-phase/acute-phase serum ratio at two dilutions, 1:100 and 1:1,000, the EIA ratio method appeared to be a sensitive as or more sensitive than, complement fixation in diagnosing current infection. PMID:6284791

In situ synchrotron tensile investigations on 14YWT, MA957, and 9-Cr ODS alloys

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lin, Jun-Li; Mo, Kun; Yun, Di

2016-04-01

Advanced ODS alloys provide exceptional radiation tolerance and high-temperature mechanical properties when compared to traditional ferritic and ferritic/martensitic 9F/M) steels. Their remarkable properties result from ultrahigh density and ultrafine size of Y-Ti-O nanoclusters within the ferritic matrix. In this work, we applied a high-energy synchrotron radiation X-ray to study the deformation process of three advanced ODS materials including 14YWT, MA957, and 9-Cr ODS steel. Only the relatively large nanoparticles in the 9-Cr ODS were observed in the synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The nanoclusters in both 14YWT and MA957 were invisible in the measurement due to their non-stoichiometric nature. Due to themore » different sizes of nanoparticles and nanoclusters in the materials, the Orowan looping was considered to be the major strengthening mechanism in the 9-Cr ODS, while the dispersed-barrier-hardening is dominant strengthening mechanism in both 14YWT and MA957, This analysis was inferred from the different build-up rates of dislocation density when plastic deformation was initiated. Finally, the dislocation densities interpreted from the X-ray measurements were successfully modeled using the Bergstrom's dislocation models. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.« less

Energy storage flywheel housing design concept development

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Coppa, A.P.

1982-03-12

A low cost vehicular flywheel housing conceptual design has been obtained by resorting to well developed mass production sheet metal fabrication processes and inexpensive materials. Two versions of the design, based on different rotor sizes, are described. The rotors are of the General Electric hybrid type and have the following dimensions: 15 in. OD x 1.50 in. thickness and 18 in. OD x 1.00 in. thickness. Both rotors have a maximum operating energy capacity of 0.25 kw. hr and close to identical weight and energy density values of 16.0 lb. and 15.6 whr/lb respectively. A leading mass producer of sheetmore » metal components for automotive vehicles provided the following budgetary quotations for steel housings, including hardened steel containment rings, based on the conceptual design: housing for 15 in. OD, 0.25 kw. hr. rotor: $50; and housing for 18 in. OD, 0.25 kw. hr. rotor: $58. These prices are based on a production rate of 10/sup 6/ units per year and include tooling. Information is included on: the design analysis, results of rotor burst testing and the conceptual design requirements for containment vacuum, safe response to vehicle collision, noise suppression, and structural performance.« less

Effects of Zr Addition on Strengthening Mechanisms of Al-Alloyed High-Cr ODS Steels.

PubMed

Ren, Jian; Yu, Liming; Liu, Yongchang; Liu, Chenxi; Li, Huijun; Wu, Jiefeng

2018-01-12

Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels with different contents of zirconium (denoted as 16Cr ODS, 16Cr-0.3Zr ODS and 16Cr-0.6Zr ODS) were fabricated to investigate the effects of Zr on strengthening mechanism of Al-alloyed 16Cr ODS steel. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) results show that the mean grain size of ODS steels could be decreased by Zr addition. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) results indicate that Zr addition could increase the number density but decrease the mean diameter and inter-particle spacing of oxide particles. Furthermore, it is also found that in addition to Y-Al-O nanoparticles, Y-Zr-O oxides with finer size were observed in 16Cr-0.3Zr ODS and 16Cr-0.6Zr ODS steels. These changes in microstructure significantly increase the yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of ODS steels through mechanisms of grain boundary strengthening and dispersion strengthening.

Effects of Zr Addition on Strengthening Mechanisms of Al-Alloyed High-Cr ODS Steels

PubMed Central

Ren, Jian; Yu, Liming; Liu, Yongchang; Liu, Chenxi; Li, Huijun; Wu, Jiefeng

2018-01-01

Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels with different contents of zirconium (denoted as 16Cr ODS, 16Cr-0.3Zr ODS and 16Cr-0.6Zr ODS) were fabricated to investigate the effects of Zr on strengthening mechanism of Al-alloyed 16Cr ODS steel. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) results show that the mean grain size of ODS steels could be decreased by Zr addition. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) results indicate that Zr addition could increase the number density but decrease the mean diameter and inter-particle spacing of oxide particles. Furthermore, it is also found that in addition to Y-Al-O nanoparticles, Y-Zr-O oxides with finer size were observed in 16Cr-0.3Zr ODS and 16Cr-0.6Zr ODS steels. These changes in microstructure significantly increase the yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of ODS steels through mechanisms of grain boundary strengthening and dispersion strengthening. PMID:29329260

Studies on the Effects of Certain Soil Properties on the Biodegradation of Oils Determined by the Manometric Respirometric Method

PubMed Central

Kaakinen, Juhani; Vähäoja, Pekka; Kuokkanen, Toivo; Roppola, Katri

2007-01-01

The biodegradability of certain biofuels was studied in the case of forest soils using the manometric respirometric technique, which was proved to be very suitable for untreated, fertilized as well as pH adjusted soils. Experiments carried out in infertile sandy forest soil gave a BOD/ThOD value of 45.1% for a typical model substance, that is, sodium benzoate after a period of 30 days and mineral addition improved the BOD/ThOD value to a value of 76.2%. Rapeseed oil-based chain oil almost did not biodegrade at all in 30 days in nonprocessed soil, and when pH was adjusted to 8.0, the BOD/ThOD value increased slightly to a value of 7.4%. Mineral addition improved the BOD/ThOD value on average to 43.2% after 30 days. The combined mineral addition and pH adjustment together increased the BOD/ThOD value to 75.8% in 30 days. The observations were similar with a rapeseed oil-based lubricating oil: after 30 days, the BOD/ThOD value increased from 5.9% to an average value of 51.9%, when the pH and mineral concentrations of the soil were optimized. The mineral addition and pH adjustment also improved the precision of the measurements significantly. PMID:18273392

Measuring of Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth. A correlation of the optical measurements with colony forming units

PubMed Central

Peñuelas-Urquides, Katia; Villarreal-Treviño, Licet; Silva-Ramírez, Beatriz; Rivadeneyra-Espinoza, Liliana; Said-Fernández, Salvador; de León, Mario Bermúdez

2013-01-01

The quantification of colony forming units (cfu), turbidity, and optical density at 600 nm (OD600) measurements were used to evaluate Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth. Turbidity and OD600 measurements displayed similar growth curves, while cfu quantification showed a continuous growth curve. We determined the cfu equivalents to McFarland and OD600 units. PMID:24159318

Measuring of Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth. A correlation of the optical measurements with colony forming units.

PubMed

Peñuelas-Urquides, Katia; Villarreal-Treviño, Licet; Silva-Ramírez, Beatriz; Rivadeneyra-Espinoza, Liliana; Said-Fernández, Salvador; de León, Mario Bermúdez

2013-01-01

The quantification of colony forming units (cfu), turbidity, and optical density at 600 nm (OD600) measurements were used to evaluate Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth. Turbidity and OD600 measurements displayed similar growth curves, while cfu quantification showed a continuous growth curve. We determined the cfu equivalents to McFarland and OD600 units.

In vivo measurements of the influence of the skin on cerebral oxygenation changes measured with near-infrared spectrophotometry (NIRS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klaessens, John H. G. M.; van Os, Sandra H. G.; Hopman, Jeroen C. W.; Liem, K. D.; van de Bor, Margot; Thijssen, Johan M.

2004-07-01

Goal: To investigate the influence of skin on the accuracy and precision of regional cerebral oxygenation measurements using CW-NIRS and to reduce the inter individual variability of NIRS measurements by normalization with data from an extra wavelength. Method: Three piglets (7.8-9.3 kg) were anesthetized, paralyzed and mechanically ventilated. Receiving optodes were placed over the left and right hemisphere (C3, C4 EEG placement code) and one emitting optode on Cz position (optode distance=1.8cm). Optical densities (OD) were measured for 3 wavelengths (767, 850, 905 nm) (OXYMON) during stable normoxic, mild and deep hypoxemic conditions (SaO2=100%, 80% and 60%) of one minute in each region. This was repeated 3 times: all optodes with skin (condition 1); one receiving optode directly on the skull (2); emitting and also receiving optode on the skull (3). The absolute cO2Hb, cHHb, ctHb concentrations (μmol/L) were calculated from the OD's and changes with respect to the SaO2=100% condition were estimated. Because ODs varied over a large range, the light intensity was externally attenuated to adapt to the range of the spectrophotometer. The data were then corrected for these attenuation effects and for pathlength changes caused by skin removal using the OD at the independent wavelength (λ=975nm). Results: Removal of the skin resulted in an increase of the absorption values (average 0.25 OD in condition 2 and 0.42 OD in condition 3 with respect to condition 1). The change from normoxic to medium, and to deep hypoxic conditions produced a decrease of cO2Hb (-15, and -29 μmol/L, respectively), an increase in cHHb (+16, and +35 μmol/L) and in ctHb (+1, and +5 μmol/L). Total skin removal yielded an extra change in cO2Hb (-5, -1 μmol/L), cHHb (+8, +9 μmol/L), and ctHb (+3, +8 μmol /L). The coefficient of variability of the absolute concentration changes was considerably decreased by the normalization of densities by the density obtained at 795 nm. Conclusion: Skin and subcutaneous layers influence the regional oxygenation measurements but the estimated concentration changes are dominated by changes of the oxygenation levels in the brain. Inter individual variability can be considerably reduced by the normalization.

The comparison of microstructures and mechanical properties between 14Cr-Al and 14Cr-Ti ferritic ODS alloys

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Guangming; Zhou, Zhangjian; Mo, Kun; ...

2016-03-03

In this study, two kinds of 14Cr ODS alloys (14Cr-Al and 14Cr-Ti) were investigated to reveal the different effects between Al and Ti on the microstructures and mechanical properties of 14Cr ferritic ODS alloys. The microstructure information such as grains, minor phases of these two alloys has been investigated by high-energy X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction tensile test was applied to investigate the mechanical properties of these two alloys. The lattice strains of different phases through the entire tensile deformation process in these two alloys were analyzed to calculate their elastic stresses.more » From the comparison of elastic stress, the strengthening capability of Y 2Ti 2O 7 is better than TiN in 14Cr-Ti, and the strengthening capability of YAH is much better than YAM and AlN in 14Cr-Al ODS. The dislocation densities of 14Cr-Ti and 14Cr-Al ODS alloys during tensile deformation were also examined by modified Williamson-Hall analyses of peak broadening, respectively. In conclusion, the different increasing speed of dislocation density with plastic deformation reveals the better strengthening effect of Y-Ti-O particles in 14Cr-Ti ODS than that of Y-Al-O particles in 14Cr-Al ODS alloy.« less

Changes in peripapillary blood vessel density in Graves' orbitopathy after orbital decompression surgery as measured by optical coherence tomography angiography.

PubMed

Lewis, Kyle T; Bullock, John R; Drumright, Ryan T; Olsen, Matthew J; Penman, Alan D

2018-03-08

The purpose is to evaluate the utility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography in the evaluation of Graves' orbitopathy (GO) and response to orbital decompression in patients with and without dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON). This was a single-center, prospective case series in a cohort of 12 patients (24 orbits) with GO and ±DON, (6 orbits) who underwent bilateral orbital decompression. All patients underwent pre- and postoperative OCT angiography of the peripapillary area. Vessel density indices were calculated in a 4.5 mm × 4.5 mm ellipsoid centered on the optic disk using split-spectrum amplitude decorrelation angiography algorithm, producing the vessel density measurements. Mean change in vessel density indices was compared between pre- and postoperative sessions and between patients with and without DON. Patient 1, a 34-year-old male with GO and unilateral DON OD, showed a significant reduction in blood vessel density indices oculus dexter (OD) (DON eye) after decompression while a more modest reduction was found oculus sinister (OS) with the greatest change noted intrapapillary. Patient 2, a 50-year-old male with DON OU, showed worsening neuropathy following decompression OD that was confirmed by angiographic density indices. Patient 3, a 55-year-female with DON, showed a reduction in blood vessel density OD and increased density OS. Patients without DON showed overall less impressive changes in indices as compared to those with DON. Using OCT angiography, response to surgical treatment in GO orbits, more so in orbits with DON, can be demonstrated and quantified using vessel density indices with reproducibility.

Useful optical density range in film dosimetry: limitations due to noise and saturation.

PubMed

González-López, Antonio

2007-08-07

The optical density (OD) range for the scanners used in film dosimetry is limited due to saturation and noise. As the OD increases, saturation causes the rate of change of the output with respect to the input to become smaller, while at the same time noise remains fairly constant or increases. The combined effect leads to a degradation of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at high optical densities. In this study, the uncertainty in the OD measurement, d(m), is expressed as a function of the optical density d. The functional relationship obtained gives the amplitude w of an interval around d in which d(m) will be found with a given probability p. The relationship w = w(d, p) is later used to determine which OD ranges fulfil a set of requirements on w and p. As an application of the procedure, the noise and saturation characteristics of a commercial film digitizer system are measured. Their contribution to the uncertainties of the dosimetric procedure is reported, and the data are used to provide an optical density range for a given uncertainty and confidence level associated with the digitizer. These data can be further combined with the data from other sources of noise such as film noise in order to estimate the final uncertainty of the dosimetric process.

Development and validation of an Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in Sri Lanka.

PubMed

Iddawela, D; Ehambaram, K; Kumarasiri, P V; Wijesundera, S

2015-09-01

ELISA is the most widely used form of diagnosis for toxoplasmosis. Several commercial kits are currently used in Sri Lanka. However, these kits are not affordable in resource-limited settings. Objectives Aim of this study was to develop a cost effective in-house ELISA for the detection of Toxoplasma antibody and to estimate the diagnostic accuracy compared to a commercial kit. Vero cell lines were inoculated with tachyzoites and harvested after 2-6 days and sonicated to obtain somatic antigen. The antigen was used as coating material in ELISA to detect antibodies against T. gondii in patient sera. Hundred and three patients' sera were analysed by in-house ELISA and kit ELISA. Optical density (OD) values were analysed statistically. Toxoplasma IgG avidity test was used to determine the chronic and acute phase of infection. The optimum working dilutions for antigen was 0.846 μg/ml and for serum 1 in 100. The optimal cut-off values for the in-house ELISA within the range 0.85 to 0.98 at which the sensitivity was 95.3% and specificity was 98.3. The OD values of in-house ELISA were compared with OD values of kit ELISA and the results showed strong correlation between the two tests. The results of our study demonstrated that our in-house ELISA for detection of T. gondii antibody was as sensitive and specific as the commercial kit used in this study. Thus, the in-house ELISA is a useful, costeffective tool for diagnostic and screening purposes.

A new multi-wavelength optical-plethysmograph for quantitative determination of pulpal hemoglobin content and oxygen level using green and near-infrared LEDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kakino, S.; Miwa, Z.; Kirimoto, A.; Ohuchi, K.; Takatani, S.; Takagi, Y.

2007-02-01

A new multi-wavelength optical-plethysmograph has been designed to study the relation between the transmitted optical density (OD) of the tooth vs. hemoglobin (Hb) content and oxygen saturation (SO II) of the pulpal blood using the 467, 506, 522 and 810 nm light emitting diodes (LEDs). The experimental model utilized the extracted human upper incisor where the pulp cavity was filled with the blood having various values of Hb and SO II. A resin cap was made to fit the tooth crown and optical fibers for transmission measurement. The LEDs were pulsed sequentially at 520 Hz with the pulse duration of 240 μs. The OD as a function of Hb for the isosbestic wavelengths of 506 and 522 nm increased almost linearly from 8.0 to 11.0 for Hb changing from 0.0 (saline control) to 2.5 g/dL, but beyond 2.5 g/dL no change was observed. At 810 nm, the OD increased linearly till Hb of 13.4 g/dL, but its change was much smaller with 1.0 OD per 13.4 g/dL. As for SO II, the OD at 467 nm with Hb of 1.0 g/dL that simulated the mean pulpal Hb content in vivo varied by about 1.0 for SO II changing from 100 to 40%. The OD change with respect to Hb change at 506 and 522 nm showed better sensitivity than that at 810 nm. The combination of 467 and 506 or 522 nm wavelengths can provide a noninvasive measurement of both pulpal Hb content and SO II to diagnose pulp vitality of teeth in vivo.

The in vitro effects of retrograded starch (resistant starch type 3) from lotus seed starch on the proliferation of Bifidobacterium adolescentis.

PubMed

Zhang, Yi; Wang, Ying; Zheng, Baodong; Lu, Xu; Zhuang, Weijing

2013-11-01

Prebiotics such as oligosaccharides, fructans, and resistant starch (RS) stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in large bowel and modify the human gastrointestinal environment. In this study, compared with glucose (GLU) and high amylose maize starch (HAMS), the in vitro effects of LRS3 and P-LRS3 (RS3 and purified RS3 prepared from lotus seed starch) on the proliferation of bifidobacteria were assessed by assessing the changes in optical density (OD), pH values, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and tolerance ability to gastrointestinal conditions. Significantly higher OD values were obtained from media containing LRS3 and P-LRS3, and especially in the medium containing P-LRS3, the OD value of which reached 1.36 when the concentration of the carbon source was 20 g L(-1). Additionally, the lag phase of bifidobacteria was 8 h in the medium with LRS3 or P-LRS3, whereas it was 16 h in the medium with GLU or HAMS. What is more, a higher content of butyric acid was obtained in the P-LRS3 medium. Compared with GLU and HAMS media, bifidobacteria had a higher tolerance to gastrointestinal conditions in LRS3 and P-LRS3 media. It shows that lotus seed resistant starch, especially P-LRS3, could stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria. The rough surface of resistant starch and the SCFAs produced during fermentation might influence the proliferation of bifidobacteria.

Multi-directional radiation detector using photographic film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Junet, L. K.; Majid, Z. A. Abdul; Sapuan, A. H.; Sayed, I. S.; Pauzi, N. F.

2014-11-01

Ionising radiation has always been part of our surrounding and people are continuously exposed to it. Ionising radiation is harmful to human health, thus it is vital to monitor the radiation. To monitor radiation, there are three main points that should be observed cautiously, which are energy, quantity, and direction of the radiation sources. A three dimensional (3D) dosimeter is an example of a radiation detector that provide these three main points. This dosimeter is able to record the radiation dose distribution in 3D. Applying the concept of dose detection distribution, study has been done to design a multi-directional radiation detector of different filter thicknesses. This is obtained by designing a cylinder shaped aluminum filter with several layers of different thickness. Black and white photographic material is used as a radiation-sensitive material and a PVC material has been used as the enclosure. The device is then exposed to a radiation source with different exposure factors. For exposure factor 70 kVp, 16 mAs; the results have shown that optical density (OD) value at 135° is 1.86 higher compared with an OD value at 315° which is 0.71 as the 135° area received more radiation compare to 315° region. Furthermore, with an evidence of different angle of film give different value of OD shows that this device has a multidirectional ability. Materials used to develop this device are widely available in the market, thus reducing the cost of development and making it suitable for commercialisation.

The effect of the initial microstructure in terms of sink strength on the ion-irradiation-induced hardening of ODS alloys studied by nanoindentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duan, Binghuang; Heintze, Cornelia; Bergner, Frank; Ulbricht, Andreas; Akhmadaliev, Shavkat; Oñorbe, Elvira; de Carlan, Yann; Wang, Tieshan

2017-11-01

Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) Fe-Cr alloys are promising candidates for structural components in nuclear energy production. The small grain size, high dislocation density and the presence of particle matrix interfaces may contribute to the improved irradiation resistance of this class of alloys by providing sinks and/or traps for irradiation-induced point defects. The extent to which these effects impede hardening is still a matter of debate. To address this problem, a set of alloys of different grain size, dislocation density and oxide particle distribution were selected. In this study, three-step Fe-ion irradiation at both 300 °C and 500 °C up to 10 dpa was used to introduce damage in five different materials including three 9Cr-ODS alloys, one 14Cr-ODS alloy and one 14Cr-non-ODS alloy. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), small angle neutron scattering (SANS), and nanoindentation testing were applied, the latter before and after irradiation. Significant hardening occurred for all materials and temperatures, but it is distinctly lower in the 14Cr alloys and also tends to be lower at the higher temperature. The possible contribution of Cr-rich α‧-phase particles is addressed. The impact of grain size, dislocation density and particle distribution is demonstrated in terms of an empirical trend between total sink strength and hardening.

Orbital-optimized third-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory and its spin-component and spin-opposite scaled variants: Application to symmetry breaking problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bozkaya, Uǧur

2011-12-01

In this research, orbital-optimized third-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (OMP3) and its spin-component and spin-opposite scaled variants (SCS-OMP3 and SOS-OMP3) are introduced. Using a Lagrangian-based approach, an efficient, quadratically convergent algorithm for variational optimization of the molecular orbitals (MOs) for third-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP3) is presented. Explicit equations for response density matrices, the MO gradient, and Hessian are reported in spin-orbital form. The OMP3, SCS-OMP3, and SOS-OMP3 approaches are compared with the second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2), MP3, coupled-cluster doubles (CCD), optimized-doubles (OD), and coupled-cluster singles and doubles (CCSD) methods. All these methods are applied to the O4 +, O3, and seven diatomic molecules. Results demonstrate that the OMP3 and its variants provide significantly better vibrational frequencies than MP3, CCSD, and OD for the molecules where the symmetry-breaking problems are observed. For O4 +, the OMP3 prediction, 1343 cm-1, for ω6 (b3u) mode, where symmetry-breaking appears, is even better than presumably more reliable methods such as Brueckner doubles (BD), 1194 cm-1, and OD, 1193 cm-1, methods (the experimental value is 1320 cm-1). For O3, the predictions of SCS-OMP3 (1143 cm-1) and SOS-OMP3 (1165 cm-1) are remarkably better than the more robust OD method (1282 cm-1); the experimental value is 1089 cm-1. For the seven diatomics, again the SCS-OMP3 and SOS-OMP3 methods provide the lowest average errors, |Δωe| = 44 and |Δωe| = 35 cm-1, respectively, while for OD, |Δωe| = 161 cm-1and CCSD |Δωe| = 106 cm-1. Hence, the OMP3 and especially its spin-scaled variants perform much better than the MP3, CCSD, and more robust OD approaches for considered test cases. Therefore, considering both the computational cost and the reliability, SCS-OMP3 and SOS-OMP3 appear to be the best methods for the symmetry-breaking cases, based on present application results. The OMP3 method offers certain advantages: it provides reliable vibrational frequencies in case of symmetry-breaking problems, especially with spin-scaling tricks, its analytic gradients are easier to compute since there is no need to solve the coupled-perturbed equations for the orbital response, and the computation of one-electron properties are easier because there is no response contribution to the particle density matrices. The OMP3 has further advantages over standard MP3, making it promising for excited state properties via linear response theory.

Microstructural development under irradiation in European ODS ferritic/martensitic steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schäublin, R.; Ramar, A.; Baluc, N.; de Castro, V.; Monge, M. A.; Leguey, T.; Schmid, N.; Bonjour, C.

2006-06-01

Oxide dispersion strengthened steels based on the ferritic/martensitic steel EUROFER97 are promising candidates for a fusion reactor because of their improved high temperature mechanical properties and their potential higher radiation resistance relative to the base material. Several EUROFER97 based ODS F/M steels are investigated in this study. There are the Plansee ODS steels containing 0.3 wt% yttria, and the CRPP ODS steels, whose production route is described in detail. The reinforcing particles represent 0.3-0.5% weight and are composed of yttria. The effect of 0.3 wt% Ti addition is studied. ODS steel samples have been irradiated with 590 MeV protons to 0.3 and 1.0 dpa at room temperature and 350 °C. Microstructure is investigated by transmission electron microscopy and mechanical properties are assessed by tensile and Charpy tests. While the Plansee ODS presents a ferritic structure, the CRPP ODS material presents a tempered martensitic microstructure and a uniform distribution of the yttria particles. Both materials provide a yield stress higher than the base material, but with reduced elongation and brittle behaviour. Ti additions improve elongation at high temperatures. After irradiation, mechanical properties of the material are only slightly altered with an increase in the yield strength, but without significant decrease in the total elongation, relative to the base material. Samples irradiated at room temperature present radiation induced defects in the form of blacks dots with a size range from 2 to 3 nm, while after irradiation at 350 °C irradiation induced a0<1 0 0>{1 0 0} dislocation loops are clearly visible along with nanocavities. The dispersed yttria particles with an average size of 6-8 nm are found to be stable for all irradiation conditions. The density of the defects and the dispersoid are measured and found to be about 2.3 × 10 22 m -3 and 6.2 × 10 22 m -3, respectively. The weak impact of irradiation on mechanical properties of ODS F/M steel is thus explained by a lower density of irradiation induced defects relative to the density of reinforcing particles.

Chang’E-5T Orbit Determination Using Onboard GPS Observations

PubMed Central

Su, Xing; Geng, Tao; Li, Wenwen; Zhao, Qile; Xie, Xin

2017-01-01

In recent years, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) has played an important role in Space Service Volume, the region enclosing the altitudes above 3000 km up to 36,000 km. As an in-flight test for the feasibility as well as for the performance of GNSS-based satellite orbit determination (OD), the Chinese experimental lunar mission Chang’E-5T had been equipped with an onboard high-sensitivity GNSS receiver with GPS and GLONASS tracking capability. In this contribution, the 2-h onboard GPS data are evaluated in terms of tracking performance as well as observation quality. It is indicated that the onboard receiver can track 7–8 GPS satellites per epoch on average and the ratio of carrier to noise spectral density (C/N0) values are higher than 28 dB-Hz for 90% of all the observables. The C1 code errors are generally about 4.15 m but can be better than 2 m with C/N0 values over 36 dB-Hz. GPS-based Chang’E-5T OD is performed and the Helmert variance component estimation method is investigated to determine the weights of code and carrier phase observations. The results reveal that the orbit consistency is about 20 m. OD is furthermore analyzed with GPS data screened out according to different C/N0 thresholds. It is indicated that for the Chang’E-5T, the precision of OD is dominated by the number of observed satellite. Although increased C/N0 thresholds can improve the overall data quality, the available number of GPS observations is greatly reduced and the resulting orbit solution is poor. PMID:28587174

Chang'E-5T Orbit Determination Using Onboard GPS Observations.

PubMed

Su, Xing; Geng, Tao; Li, Wenwen; Zhao, Qile; Xie, Xin

2017-06-01

In recent years, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) has played an important role in Space Service Volume, the region enclosing the altitudes above 3000 km up to 36,000 km. As an in-flight test for the feasibility as well as for the performance of GNSS-based satellite orbit determination (OD), the Chinese experimental lunar mission Chang'E-5T had been equipped with an onboard high-sensitivity GNSS receiver with GPS and GLONASS tracking capability. In this contribution, the 2-h onboard GPS data are evaluated in terms of tracking performance as well as observation quality. It is indicated that the onboard receiver can track 7-8 GPS satellites per epoch on average and the ratio of carrier to noise spectral density (C/N0) values are higher than 28 dB-Hz for 90% of all the observables. The C1 code errors are generally about 4.15 m but can be better than 2 m with C/N0 values over 36 dB-Hz. GPS-based Chang'E-5T OD is performed and the Helmert variance component estimation method is investigated to determine the weights of code and carrier phase observations. The results reveal that the orbit consistency is about 20 m. OD is furthermore analyzed with GPS data screened out according to different C/N0 thresholds. It is indicated that for the Chang'E-5T, the precision of OD is dominated by the number of observed satellite. Although increased C/N0 thresholds can improve the overall data quality, the available number of GPS observations is greatly reduced and the resulting orbit solution is poor.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae: the sensitivities of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for detecting vaccinated sows of unknown disease status using serum and colostrum, and the correlation of the results for sow serum, colostrum, and piglet serum.

PubMed

Jenvey, Caitlin J; Reichel, Michael P; Cockcroft, Peter D

2015-03-01

Due to relatively high concentrations of immunoglobulins, colostrum has the potential to improve the sensitivity of diagnostic tests for diseases in pigs when compared with serum. It is possible that colostrum could improve the sensitivity of the antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) compared with serum. Colostrum is also essential for piglets, providing protection against infections in the first few weeks and months of life. The sensitivity of 2 commercially available ELISAs, one for the detection of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and the second for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae antibodies, when used with sow colostrum in comparison with serum was investigated. The correlation of maternal E. rhusiopathiae- and M. hyopneumoniae-specific antibody levels with specific-antibody serum levels in the piglet was also determined. The sensitivity was defined as the proportion of vaccinated sows that were correctly identified as vaccinated at a given cutoff point. The true disease status of the sows with regard to the 2 infections was unknown. Blood and colostrum samples were collected from 20 sows, 10 primiparous and 10 multiparous, and blood samples were also collected from the piglets of each sow, 48-72 hr post-farrowing. The sensitivities of both ELISAs were significantly improved when using colostrum compared with serum. Sow serum and colostrum optical density (OD) values were significantly correlated. The mean sow OD values for serum for E. rhusiopathiae and M. hyopneumoniae and colostrum for E. rhusiopathiae were significantly correlated with piglet serum OD levels. If the improved sensitivity of colostrum can be demonstrated in infected animals, this will increase the ability of the test to identify infected animals using both individual and pooled colostrum. Testing serum and/or colostrum using ELISA can be useful predictors of piglet disease-specific OD values. © 2015 The Author(s).

Transmission electron microscopy study of the heavy-ion-irradiation-induced changes in the nanostructure of oxide dispersion strengthened steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rogozhkin, S. V.; Bogachev, A. A.; Orlov, N. N.; Korchuganova, O. A.; Nikitin, A. A.; Zaluzhnyi, A. G.; Kozodaev, M. A.; Kulevoy, T. V.; Kuibeda, R. P.; Fedin, P. A.; Chalykh, B. B.; Lindau, R.; Hoffman, Ya.; Möslang, A.; Vladimirov, P.; Klimenkov, M.

2017-07-01

Transmission electron microscopy was used to study the effect of heavy-ion irradiation on the structure and the phase state of three oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels: ODS Eurofer, ODS 13.5Cr, and ODS 13.5Cr-0.3Ti (wt %). Samples were irradiated with iron and titanium ions to fluences of 1015 and 3 × 1015 cm-2 at 300, 573, and 773 K. The study of the region of maximum radiation damage shows that irradiation increases the number density of oxide particles in all samples. The fraction of fine inclusions increases in the particle size distribution. This effect is most pronounced in the ODS 13.5Cr steel irradiated with titanium ions at 300 K to a fluence of 3 × 1015 cm-2. It is demonstrated that oxide inclusions in ODS 13.5Cr-0.3Ti and ODS 13.5Cr steels are more stable upon irradiation at 573 and 773 K than upon irradiation at 300 K.

Defect and void evolution in oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic steels under 3.2 MeV Fe + ion irradiation with simultaneous helium injection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, I.-S.; Hunn, J. D.; Hashimoto, N.; Larson^1, D. L.; Maziasz, P. J.; Miyahara, K.; Lee, E. H.

2000-08-01

In an attempt to explore the potential of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steels for fission and fusion structural materials applications, a set of ODS steels with varying oxide particle dispersion were irradiated at 650°C, using 3.2 MeV Fe + and 330 keV He + ions simultaneously. The void formation mechanisms in these ODS steels were studied by juxtaposing the response of a 9Cr-2WVTa ferritic/martensitic steel and solution annealed AISI 316LN austenitic stainless steel under the same irradiation conditions. The results showed that void formation was suppressed progressively by introducing and retaining a higher dislocation density and finer precipitate particles. Theoretical analyses suggest that the delayed onset of void formation in ODS steels stems from the enhanced point defect recombination in the high density dislocation microstructure, lower dislocation bias due to oxide particle pinning, and a very fine dispersion of helium bubbles caused by trapping helium atoms at the particle-matrix interfaces.

Automatic optic disc segmentation based on image brightness and contrast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Shijian; Liu, Jiang; Lim, Joo Hwee; Zhang, Zhuo; Tan, Ngan Meng; Wong, Wing Kee; Li, Huiqi; Wong, Tien Yin

2010-03-01

Untreated glaucoma leads to permanent damage of the optic nerve and resultant visual field loss, which can progress to blindness. As glaucoma often produces additional pathological cupping of the optic disc (OD), cupdisc- ratio is one measure that is widely used for glaucoma diagnosis. This paper presents an OD localization method that automatically segments the OD and so can be applied for the cup-disc-ratio based glaucoma diagnosis. The proposed OD segmentation method is based on the observations that the OD is normally much brighter and at the same time have a smoother texture characteristics compared with other regions within retinal images. Given a retinal image we first capture the ODs smooth texture characteristic by a contrast image that is constructed based on the local maximum and minimum pixel lightness within a small neighborhood window. The centre of the OD can then be determined according to the density of the candidate OD pixels that are detected by retinal image pixels of the lowest contrast. After that, an OD region is approximately determined by a pair of morphological operations and the OD boundary is finally determined by an ellipse that is fitted by the convex hull of the detected OD region. Experiments over 71 retinal images of different qualities show that the OD region overlapping reaches up to 90.37% according to the OD boundary ellipses determined by our proposed method and the one manually plotted by an ophthalmologist.

Effects of l-tryptophan on the growth, intestinal enzyme activities and non-specific immune response of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus Selenka) exposed to crowding stress.

PubMed

Zhang, Endong; Dong, Shuanglin; Wang, Fang; Tian, Xiangli; Gao, Qinfeng

2018-04-01

In order to reveal the effects of l-tryptophan (Trp) on the physiology and immune response of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus Selenka) exposed to crowding stress, four density groups of sea cucumbers (i.e. 4, 8, 16 and 32 individuals per 40 L water, represented as L, ML, MH and H) were fed with diets containing 0, 1, 3 and 5% l-tryptophan respectively for 75 days. The results showed that the specific growth rates (SGR) of the sea cucumber fed with diet with 3% Trp (L, 2.1; ML, 1.76; MH, 1.2; H, 0.7) were significantly higher than those fed with basal diet without Trp supplementation (P < .05). Peak amylase activity occurred at H stress density at 3% dietary Trp. Trypsin activity was higher in diet 3% in ML and MH densities than the controls, which increased by 66.4% and 53.8%. However, the lipase activity first increased and then decreased from the stocking density L to H, with highest values of 3% Trp group showed the highest value than other groups. Compared to those fed with the basal diet, sea cucumber fed diets with Trp (3%) had significantly higher phagocytic activities (0.28 OD540/10 6  cells, H) in coelomic fluid and respiratory burst activities (0.105 OD630/10 6  cells, MH) (P < .05). The results suggested that Trp cannot improve superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity at L, ML and MH densities. The alkaline phosphatase activity (AKP) significantly decreased at H stress density. Under the experimental conditions, the present results confirmed that a diet supplemented with 3% Trp was able to enhance intestinal enzyme activities, non-specific immune response and higher growth performance of A. japonicus. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

OD in Schools: The State of the Art. Vol. II: Review of Research on OD. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fullan, Michael; And Others

The purpose of this document, the second of a five-volume series, was to analyze the various reviews of organizational development (OD) in general, and case studies of school districts in particular, in order to synthesize information about OD as it applies to schools. The review is organized into four main categories: (1) values, themes, and…

Energy-storage-flywheel housing-design-concept development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coppa, A. P.

1981-09-01

A low cost vehicular flywheel housing conceptual design was obtained by resorting to well developed mass production sheet metal fabrication processes and inexpensive materials. Two versions of the design, based on different rotor sizes, are described. The rotors are of the General Electric hybrid type and have the following dimensions: 15 in. OD x 1.50 in. thickness and 18 in. OD x 1.00 in. thickness. Both rotors have a maximum operating energy capacity of 0.25 kw. hr and close to identical weight and energy density values of 16.0 lb. and 15.6 whr/lb respectively. A leading mass producer of sheet metal components for automotive vehicles provided budgetary quotations for steel housings. Information is included on: the design analysis, results of rotor burst testing and the conceptual design requirements for containment vacuum, safe response to vehicle collision, noise suppression, and structural performance.

Characterization of oxide nanoparticles in Al-free and Al-containing oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic steels.

PubMed

Lee, Jae Hoon; Kim, Jeoung Han

2013-09-01

Oxide nanoparticles in oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steels with and without Al have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy. It is confirmed that most of the complex oxide particles consist of Y2TiO5 for 18Cr-ODS steel and YAlO3 or YAl5O12 for 18Cr5Al-ODS steel, respectivley. The addition of 5% Al in 18Cr-ODS steel leads to the formation of larger oxide particles and the reduction in their number density. For 18Cr-ODS steel, 87% of the oxide particles are coherent. The misfit strain of the coherent particles and a few semi-coherent particles is about 0.034 and 0.056, respectively. For 18Cr5Al-ODS steel, 75% of the oxide particles are semi-coherent, of which the misfit strain is 0.091 and 0.125, respectively. These results suggest that for the Al-containing ODS steel the Al addition accelerates the formation of semi-coherent oxide particles and its larger coherent and semi-coherent particles result in the larger misfit strain between the oxide particle and alloy matrix, indicating that the coherence of oxide nanoparticles in ODS steels is size-dependent.

Structural and metal-insulator transitions in rhenium-based double perovskites via orbital ordering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Alex Taekyung; Marianetti, Chris A.

2018-01-01

Re-based double perovskites (DPs) have garnered substantial attention due to their high Curie temperatures (TC) and display of complex interplay of structural and metal-insulator transitions (MIT). Here we systematically study the ground-state electronic and structural properties for a family of Re-based DPs A2B ReO6 (A =Sr, Ca and B =Cr, Fe), which are related by a common low-energy Hamiltonian, using density functional theory +U calculations. We show that the on-site interaction U of Re induces orbital ordering (denoted C-OO), with each Re site having an occupied dx y orbital and a C-type alternation among dx z/dy z , resulting in an insulating state consistent with experimentally determined insulators Sr2CrReO6 , Ca2CrReO6 , and Ca2FeReO6 . The threshold value of UR e for orbital ordering is reduced by inducing Eg octahedral distortions of the same C-type wavelength (denoted C-OD), which serves as a structural signature of the orbital ordering; octahedral tilting also reduces the threshold. The C-OO and the concomitant C-OD are a spontaneously broken symmetry for the Sr-based materials (i.e., a0a0c- tilt pattern), while not for the Ca-based systems (i.e., a-a-b+ tilt pattern). Spin-orbit coupling does not qualitatively change the physics of the C-OO/C-OD, but can induce relevant quantitative changes. We prove that a single set of UC r,UF e,UR e capture the experimentally observed metallic state in Sr2FeReO6 and insulating states in other three systems. We predict that the C-OO is the origin of the insulating state in Sr2CrReO6 , and that the concomitant C-OD may be experimentally observed at sufficiently low temperatures (i.e., space group P 42/m ) in pure samples. Additionally, given our prescribed values of U , we show that the C-OO induced insulating state in Ca2CrReO6 will survive even if the C-OD amplitude is suppressed (e.g., due to thermal fluctuations). The role of the C-OO/C-OD in the discontinuous, temperature driven MIT in Ca2FeReO6 is discussed.

Correction of pathlength amplification in the filter-pad technique for measurements of particulate absorption coefficient in the visible spectral region.

PubMed

Stramski, Dariusz; Reynolds, Rick A; Kaczmarek, Sławomir; Uitz, Julia; Zheng, Guangming

2015-08-01

Spectrophotometric measurement of particulate matter retained on filters is the most common and practical method for routine determination of the spectral light absorption coefficient of aquatic particles, a_p(λ), at high spectral resolution over a broad spectral range. The use of differing geometrical measurement configurations and large variations in the reported correction for pathlength amplification induced by the particle/filter matrix have hindered adoption of an established measurement protocol. We describe results of dedicated laboratory experiments with a diversity of particulate sample types to examine variation in the pathlength amplification factor for three filter measurement geometries; the filter in the transmittance configuration (T), the filter in the transmittance-reflectance configuration (T-R), and the filter placed inside an integrating sphere (IS). Relationships between optical density measured on suspensions (OD_s) and filters (OD_f) within the visible portion of the spectrum were evaluated for the formulation of pathlength amplification correction, with power functions providing the best functional representation of the relationship for all three geometries. Whereas the largest uncertainties occur in the T method, the IS method provided the least sample-to-sample variability and the smallest uncertainties in the relationship between OD_s and OD_f. For six different samples measured with 1 nm resolution within the light wavelength range from 400 to 700 nm, a median error of 7.1% is observed for predicted values of OD_s using the IS method. The relationships established for the three filter-pad methods are applicable to historical and ongoing measurements; for future work, the use of the IS method is recommended whenever feasible.

Orbital-optimized third-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory and its spin-component and spin-opposite scaled variants: application to symmetry breaking problems.

PubMed

Bozkaya, Uğur

2011-12-14

In this research, orbital-optimized third-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (OMP3) and its spin-component and spin-opposite scaled variants (SCS-OMP3 and SOS-OMP3) are introduced. Using a Lagrangian-based approach, an efficient, quadratically convergent algorithm for variational optimization of the molecular orbitals (MOs) for third-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP3) is presented. Explicit equations for response density matrices, the MO gradient, and Hessian are reported in spin-orbital form. The OMP3, SCS-OMP3, and SOS-OMP3 approaches are compared with the second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2), MP3, coupled-cluster doubles (CCD), optimized-doubles (OD), and coupled-cluster singles and doubles (CCSD) methods. All these methods are applied to the O(4)(+), O(3), and seven diatomic molecules. Results demonstrate that the OMP3 and its variants provide significantly better vibrational frequencies than MP3, CCSD, and OD for the molecules where the symmetry-breaking problems are observed. For O(4)(+), the OMP3 prediction, 1343 cm(-1), for ω(6) (b(3u)) mode, where symmetry-breaking appears, is even better than presumably more reliable methods such as Brueckner doubles (BD), 1194 cm(-1), and OD, 1193 cm(-1), methods (the experimental value is 1320 cm(-1)). For O(3), the predictions of SCS-OMP3 (1143 cm(-1)) and SOS-OMP3 (1165 cm(-1)) are remarkably better than the more robust OD method (1282 cm(-1)); the experimental value is 1089 cm(-1). For the seven diatomics, again the SCS-OMP3 and SOS-OMP3 methods provide the lowest average errors, ∣Δω(e)∣ = 44 and ∣Δω(e)∣ = 35 cm(-1), respectively, while for OD, ∣Δω(e)∣ = 161 cm(-1)and CCSD ∣Δω(e)∣ = 106 cm(-1). Hence, the OMP3 and especially its spin-scaled variants perform much better than the MP3, CCSD, and more robust OD approaches for considered test cases. Therefore, considering both the computational cost and the reliability, SCS-OMP3 and SOS-OMP3 appear to be the best methods for the symmetry-breaking cases, based on present application results. The OMP3 method offers certain advantages: it provides reliable vibrational frequencies in case of symmetry-breaking problems, especially with spin-scaling tricks, its analytic gradients are easier to compute since there is no need to solve the coupled-perturbed equations for the orbital response, and the computation of one-electron properties are easier because there is no response contribution to the particle density matrices. The OMP3 has further advantages over standard MP3, making it promising for excited state properties via linear response theory. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

An optical-density-based feedback feeding method for ammonium concentration control in Spirulina platensis cultivation.

PubMed

Bao, Yilu; Wen, Shumei; Cong, Wei; Wu, Xia; Ning, Zhengxiang

2012-07-01

Cultivation of Spirulina platensis using ammonium salts or wastewater containing ammonium as alternative nitrogen sources is considered as a commercial way to reduce the production cost. In this research, by analyzing the relationship between biomass production and ammonium- N consumption in the fed-batch culture of Spirulina platensis using ammonium bicarbonate as a nitrogen nutrient source, an online adaptive control strategy based on optical density (OD) measurements for controlling ammonium feeding was presented. The ammonium concentration was successfully controlled between the cell growth inhibitory and limiting concentrations using this OD-based feedback feeding method. As a result, the maximum biomass concentration (2.98 g/l), productivity (0.237 g/l·d), nitrogen-to-cell conversion factor (7.32 gX/gN), and contents of protein (64.1%) and chlorophyll (13.4 mg/g) obtained by using the OD-based feedback feeding method were higher than those using the constant and variable feeding methods. The OD-based feedback feeding method could be recognized as an applicable way to control ammonium feeding and a benefit for Spirulina platensis cultivations.

Energy-filtered TEM imaging and EELS study of ODS particles and argon-filled cavities in ferritic-martensitic steels.

PubMed

Klimiankou, M; Lindau, R; Möslang, A

2005-01-01

Oxide-dispersion-strengthened (ODS) ferritic-martensitic steels with yttrium oxide (Y(2)O(3)) have been produced by mechanical alloying and hot isostatic pressing for use as advanced material in fusion power reactors. Argon gas, usually widely used as inert gas during mechanical alloying, was surprisingly detected in the nanodispersion-strengthened materials. Energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) led to the following results: (i) chemical composition of ODS particles, (ii) voids with typical diameters of 1-6 nm are formed in the matrix, (iii) these voids are filled with Ar gas, and (iv) the high-density nanosized ODS particles serve as trapping centers for the Ar bubbles. The Ar L(3,2) energy loss edge at 245 eV as well as the absorption features of the ODS particle elements were identified in the EELS spectrum. The energy resolution in the EEL spectrum of about 1.0 eV allows to identify the electronic structure of the ODS particles.

High yttria ferritic ODS steels through powder forging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Deepak; Prakash, Ujjwal; Dabhade, Vikram V.; Laha, K.; Sakthivel, T.

2017-05-01

Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels are being developed for future nuclear reactors. ODS Fe-18%Cr-2%W-0.2%Ti steels with 0, 0.35, 0.5, 1 and 1.5% Y2O3 (all compositions in weight%) dispersion were fabricated by mechanical alloying of elemental powders. The powders were placed in a mild steel can and forged in a stream of hydrogen gas at 1473 K. The steels were forged again to final density. The strength of ODS steel increased with yttria content. Though this was accompanied by a decrease in tensile elongation, all the steels showed significant ductility. The ductility in high yttria alloys may be attributed to improved inter-particle bonding between milled powders due to reduction of surface oxides by hydrogen. This may permit development of ODS steels with yttria contents higher than the conventional limit of 0.5%. It is suggested that powder forging is a promising route to fabricate ODS steels with high yttria contents and improved ductility.

Are Emissions of Restricted Halocarbons in the USA and Canada Still Globally Significant?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hurst, D. F.; Romashkin, P. A.; Hall, B. D.; Elkins, J. W.; Lin, J. C.; Gerbig, C.; Daube, B. C.; Wofsy, S. C.

2004-12-01

The global manufacture of halocarbons regulated by the Montreal Protocol has dropped substantially in response to the January 1, 1996, production phase-out deadline (1994 for halons) for developed (Article 5) countries like the United States and Canada. Contemporary emissions of these ozone-depleting substances (ODS) emanate from ongoing production in developing countries and releases of banked halocarbons world-wide. ODS emissions in developing nations can be appraised from reported production figures, but not so for developed nations where recent manufacture is negligible. Emissions in the United States and Canada are increasingly difficult to estimate because of limited information about bank sizes and release rates in the post-production era. In addition, regional- or national-scale emission estimates should no longer be derived wholly from localized measurements because of the potentially patchy spatial distributions of modern emissions. We estimate ODS emissions in the USA and Canada from >1000 simultaneous, in situ measurements each of CO and six restricted halocarbons (CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and halon-1211) in and above the planetary boundary layer during the 2003 CO2 Budget and Regional Airborne - North America (COBRA-NA 2003) study. The data obtained during 87 flight hours are geographically extensive (>30,000 km) including two 11,000 km flight circuits across both countries. More than 50 pollution "events" with statistically significant ODS:CO emission ratios were sampled, and for each event we have determined a flux footprint using the Stochastic Time-Inverted Lagrangian Transport (STILT) model. The model also calculates footprint-weighted average population densities and CO fluxes which we convert to footprint-weighted average ODS fluxes using the measured ODS:CO emission ratios. Statistically robust relationships between footprint-averaged ODS fluxes and population densities for several ODS indicate that population-based extrapolations of these relationships to national levels are warranted. Emission estimates for the USA and Canada in 2003 will be presented and compared to the magnitudes of global emissions.

Efficient method for computing the maximum-likelihood quantum state from measurements with additive Gaussian noise.

PubMed

Smolin, John A; Gambetta, Jay M; Smith, Graeme

2012-02-17

We provide an efficient method for computing the maximum-likelihood mixed quantum state (with density matrix ρ) given a set of measurement outcomes in a complete orthonormal operator basis subject to Gaussian noise. Our method works by first changing basis yielding a candidate density matrix μ which may have nonphysical (negative) eigenvalues, and then finding the nearest physical state under the 2-norm. Our algorithm takes at worst O(d(4)) for the basis change plus O(d(3)) for finding ρ where d is the dimension of the quantum state. In the special case where the measurement basis is strings of Pauli operators, the basis change takes only O(d(3)) as well. The workhorse of the algorithm is a new linear-time method for finding the closest probability distribution (in Euclidean distance) to a set of real numbers summing to one.

Rapid screening for inflammatory neuropathies by standardized clinical criteria

PubMed Central

Tramontozzi, Louis A.

2016-01-01

Abstract Background: Delay in recognition and treatment of inflammatory neuropathies increases morbidity and mortality. We have developed and standardized 3 clinical screening criteria that rapidly detect inflammatory neuropathies. Methods: We reviewed all patients with definite large fiber neuropathy in 2 different patient populations: 1 from a private neurology clinic and the other from a tertiary care center. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those with an inflammatory neuropathy and those with a noninflammatory neuropathy. We specifically noted the 3 key neuropathy characteristics: onset, distribution, and associated systemic features (ODS). We studied the sensitivity and specificity of ODS in differentiating between inflammatory and noninflammatory neuropathies. Results: A total of 206 patients were included: 51 from the private clinic and 155 from the tertiary care center. The sensitivity of using ODS in detecting an inflammatory neuropathy was 96% and the specificity was 85%. The positive predictive value of ODS was 0.8 and negative predictive value was 0.97. Conclusions: Rapid screening for inflammatory neuropathies by ODS clinical criteria is highly sensitive and has a high negative predictive value for noninflammatory neuropathies. ODS uses simple clinical criteria to rapidly screen for patients with a potentially treatable form of neuropathy and accelerate their diagnostic evaluation. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class IV evidence that 3 neuropathy characteristics—onset, distribution, and associated systemic features—accurately identify patients with inflammatory neuropathies. PMID:29443273

Peperomia pellucida leaf extract as immunostimulator in controlling motile aeromonad septicemia due to Aeromonas hydrophila in red hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis spp. farming

PubMed Central

Lee, S. W.; Sim, K. Y.; Wendy, W.; Zulhisyam, A. K.

2016-01-01

Aim: This study was revealed the potential of Peperomia pellucida leaf extract as an immunostimulator agent in controlling motile aeromonad septicemia due to Aeromonas hydrophila in red hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis sp. Materials and Methods: In the present study, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of P. pellucida leaf extract against A. hydrophila was determined through two-fold microbroth dilution method. The plant extract was screening for its active compound using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer, and the effectiveness of P. pellucida leaf extract as an immunostimulator agent was evaluated. The experimental fish were fed with medicated feed at three different concentrations (25 mg/kg, PP-25; 50 mg/kg, PP-50; and 100 mg/kg, PP-100) of P. pellucida leaf extract for 1 week before they were intraperitoneally exposed to A. hydrophila. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was carried out to determine the value of antibody response to A. hydrophila in fish from a group of fish that received medicated feed, and the percentage of total cumulative mortality of the experimental fish were observed at the end of the experiment. Results: The results showed that the major bioactive compound is phytol (40%), and the MIC value was 31.5 mg/L. The value of antibody response to A. hydrophila in fish from a group of fish which received medicated feed (PP-25, 0.128±0.014 optical density [OD]; PP-50, 0.132±0.003 OD; and PP-100, 0.171±0.02 OD) was found significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to fish did not receive medicated feed (0.00 OD). Whereas, percentage cumulative mortality of fish from all groups of fish received medicated feed (PP-25, 18.0±3.2%; PP-50, 18.2±2.8%; and PP-100, 17.7±1.8%) were found significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to a group of fish did not receive medicated feed (83.2±1.4%). Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicated the huge potential of P. pellucida leaf extract as natural immunostimulator agent for aquaculture uses. PMID:27057104

Peperomia pellucida leaf extract as immunostimulator in controlling motile aeromonad septicemia due to Aeromonas hydrophila in red hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis spp. farming.

PubMed

Lee, S W; Sim, K Y; Wendy, W; Zulhisyam, A K

2016-03-01

This study was revealed the potential of Peperomia pellucida leaf extract as an immunostimulator agent in controlling motile aeromonad septicemia due to Aeromonas hydrophila in red hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis sp. In the present study, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of P. pellucida leaf extract against A. hydrophila was determined through two-fold microbroth dilution method. The plant extract was screening for its active compound using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer, and the effectiveness of P. pellucida leaf extract as an immunostimulator agent was evaluated. The experimental fish were fed with medicated feed at three different concentrations (25 mg/kg, PP-25; 50 mg/kg, PP-50; and 100 mg/kg, PP-100) of P. pellucida leaf extract for 1 week before they were intraperitoneally exposed to A. hydrophila. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was carried out to determine the value of antibody response to A. hydrophila in fish from a group of fish that received medicated feed, and the percentage of total cumulative mortality of the experimental fish were observed at the end of the experiment. The results showed that the major bioactive compound is phytol (40%), and the MIC value was 31.5 mg/L. The value of antibody response to A. hydrophila in fish from a group of fish which received medicated feed (PP-25, 0.128±0.014 optical density [OD]; PP-50, 0.132±0.003 OD; and PP-100, 0.171±0.02 OD) was found significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to fish did not receive medicated feed (0.00 OD). Whereas, percentage cumulative mortality of fish from all groups of fish received medicated feed (PP-25, 18.0±3.2%; PP-50, 18.2±2.8%; and PP-100, 17.7±1.8%) were found significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to a group of fish did not receive medicated feed (83.2±1.4%). The findings of the present study indicated the huge potential of P. pellucida leaf extract as natural immunostimulator agent for aquaculture uses.

Magnetic fields are causing small, but significant changes of the radiochromic EBT3 film response to 6 MV photons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delfs, Björn; Schoenfeld, Andreas A.; Poppinga, Daniela; Kapsch, Ralf-Peter; Jiang, Ping; Harder, Dietrich; Poppe, Björn; Khee Looe, Hui

2018-02-01

The optical density (OD) of EBT3 radiochromic films (Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Bridgewater, NJ, USA) exposed to absorbed doses to water up to D  =  20 Gy in magnetic fields of B  =  0.35 and 1.42 T was measured in the three colour channels of an Epson Expression 10000XL flatbed scanner. A 7 cm wide water phantom with fixed film holder was placed between the pole shoes of a constant-current electromagnet with variable field strength and was irradiated by a 6 MV photon beam whose axis was directed at right angles with the field lines. The doses at the film position at water depth 5 cm were measured with a calibrated ionization chamber when the magnet was switched off and were converted to the doses in presence of the magnetic field via the monitor units and by a Monte Carlo-calculated correction accounting for the slight change of the depth dose curves in magnetic fields. In the presence of the 0.35 and 1.42 T fields small negative changes of the OD values at given absorbed doses to water occurred and just significantly exceeded the uncertainty margin given by the stochastic and the uncorrected systematic deviations. This change can be described by a  +2.1% change of the dose values needed to produce a given optical density in the presence of a 1.42 T field. The thereby modified OD versus D function remained unchanged irrespective of whether the original short film side—the preference direction of the monomer crystals of the film—was directed parallel or orthogonal to the magnetic field. The ‘orientation effect’, the difference between the optical densities measured in the ‘portrait’ or ‘landscape’ film positions on the scanner bed caused by the reflection of polarised light in the scanner’s mirror system, remained unaltered after EBT3 film exposure in magnetic fields. An independent optical bench investigation of EBT3 films exposed to doses of 10 and 20 Gy at 0.35 and 1.42 T showed that the direction of the electric vector of polarised light experiencing the largest transmission through EBT3 films remained unaltered after film exposure in the magnetic fields. The observed small modification of the OD versus D curve of the radiochromic film EBT3 in the range up to 20 Gy and 1.42 T, hardly exceeding the experimental uncertainty margin, numerically confirms other recent studies on EBT3 film. A stronger magnetic field effect had been observed with the previous product EBT2 exposed to 60Co gamma radiation at 0.35 T.

Magnetic fields are causing small, but significant changes of the radiochromic EBT3 film response to 6 MV photons.

PubMed

Delfs, Björn; Schoenfeld, Andreas A; Poppinga, Daniela; Kapsch, Ralf-Peter; Jiang, Ping; Harder, Dietrich; Poppe, Björn; Looe, Hui Khee

2018-01-31

The optical density (OD) of EBT3 radiochromic films (Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Bridgewater, NJ, USA) exposed to absorbed doses to water up to D  =  20 Gy in magnetic fields of B  =  0.35 and 1.42 T was measured in the three colour channels of an Epson Expression 10000XL flatbed scanner. A 7 cm wide water phantom with fixed film holder was placed between the pole shoes of a constant-current electromagnet with variable field strength and was irradiated by a 6 MV photon beam whose axis was directed at right angles with the field lines. The doses at the film position at water depth 5 cm were measured with a calibrated ionization chamber when the magnet was switched off and were converted to the doses in presence of the magnetic field via the monitor units and by a Monte Carlo-calculated correction accounting for the slight change of the depth dose curves in magnetic fields. In the presence of the 0.35 and 1.42 T fields small negative changes of the OD values at given absorbed doses to water occurred and just significantly exceeded the uncertainty margin given by the stochastic and the uncorrected systematic deviations. This change can be described by a  +2.1% change of the dose values needed to produce a given optical density in the presence of a 1.42 T field. The thereby modified OD versus D function remained unchanged irrespective of whether the original short film side-the preference direction of the monomer crystals of the film-was directed parallel or orthogonal to the magnetic field. The 'orientation effect', the difference between the optical densities measured in the 'portrait' or 'landscape' film positions on the scanner bed caused by the reflection of polarised light in the scanner's mirror system, remained unaltered after EBT3 film exposure in magnetic fields. An independent optical bench investigation of EBT3 films exposed to doses of 10 and 20 Gy at 0.35 and 1.42 T showed that the direction of the electric vector of polarised light experiencing the largest transmission through EBT3 films remained unaltered after film exposure in the magnetic fields. The observed small modification of the OD versus D curve of the radiochromic film EBT3 in the range up to 20 Gy and 1.42 T, hardly exceeding the experimental uncertainty margin, numerically confirms other recent studies on EBT3 film. A stronger magnetic field effect had been observed with the previous product EBT2 exposed to 60 Co gamma radiation at 0.35 T.

Evaluation of the Molecular Structural Parameters of Normal Rice Starch and Their Relationships with Its Thermal and Digestion Properties.

PubMed

Lin, Lingshang; Zhang, Qing; Zhang, Long; Wei, Cunxu

2017-09-12

The molecular structural parameters of six normal rice starches with different amylose contents were investigated through their iodine absorption spectra and gel permeation chromatography of fully branched and debranched starches. The thermal and digestion properties of starches were also determined and their relationships with molecular structural parameters were analyzed. Results showed that the molecular structural parameters of maximum absorption wavelength, blue value (BV), optical density 620 nm/550 nm (OD 620/550), amylose, intermediate component, and amylopectin, including its short branch-chains, long branch-chains, and branching degree, had high correlation in different determining methods. The intermediate component of starch was significantly positively related to amylose and negatively related to amylopectin, and the amylopectin branching degree was significantly positively related to amylopectin content and negatively related to amylose content. The gelatinization temperatures and enthalpy of native starch were significantly positively related to BV, OD 620/550, and amylose content and negatively related to amylopectin short branch-chains. The gelatinization temperatures and enthalpy of retrograded starch were significantly negatively related to amylopectin branching degree. The digestions of gelatinized and retrograded starches were significantly negatively related to the BV, OD 620/550, amylose, and intermediate component and positively related to amylopectin and its short branch-chains and branching degree.

Quantitative investigation of the effects of the scanning parameters in the digitization of EBT and EBT2 Gafchromic film dosimetry with flatbed scanners.

PubMed

Hu, Yida; Ahmad, Salahuddin; Ali, Imad

2012-01-01

With increasing popularity and complexity of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) delivery modalities including regular and arc therapies, there is a growing challenge for validating the accuracy of dose distributions. Gafchromic films have superior characteristics for dose verification over other conventional dosimeters. In order to optimize the use of Gafchromic films in clinical IMRT quality assurance procedures, the scanning parameters of EBT and EBT2 films with a flatbed scanner were investigated. The effects of several parameters including scanning position, orientation, uniformity, film sensitivity and optical density (OD) growth after irradiation were quantified. The profiles of the EBT and EBT2 films had a noise level of 0.6% and 0.7%, respectively. Considerable orientation dependence was observed and the scanner value difference between landscape and portrait modes were about 12% and 10% for EBT and EBT2 films, respectively. The highest response sensitivity was observed using digitized red color images of the EBT2 film scanned with landscape mode. The total system non-uniformity composed of contributions from the film and the scanner was less than 1.7%. OD variations showed that EBT gray scale grew slower, however, reached higher growth values of 15% when compared with EBT2 gray scale which grew 12% after a long time (480 hours) post-irradiation. The EBT film using the red color channel showed the minimal growth where OD increased up to 3% within 3 days after irradiation, and took one week to stabilize.

Design, fabrication and characterization of oxidized alginate-gelatin hydrogels for muscle tissue engineering applications.

PubMed

Baniasadi, Hossein; Mashayekhan, Shohreh; Fadaoddini, Samira; Haghirsharifzamini, Yasamin

2016-07-01

In this study, we reported the preparation of self cross-linked oxidized alginate-gelatin hydrogels for muscle tissue engineering. The effect of oxidation degree (OD) and oxidized alginate/gelatin (OA/GEL) weight ratio were examined and the results showed that in the constant OA/GEL weight ratio, both cross-linking density and Young's modulus enhanced by increasing OD due to increment of aldehyde groups. Furthermore, the degradation rate was increased with increasing OD probably due to decrement in alginate molecular weight during oxidation reaction facilitated degradation of alginate chains. MTT cytotoxicity assays performed on Wharton's Jelly-derived umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells cultured on hydrogels with OD of 30% showed that the highest rate of cell proliferation belong to hydrogel with OA/GEL weight ratio of 30/70. Overall, it can be concluded from all obtained results that the prepared hydrogel with OA/GEL weight ratio and OD of 30/70 and 30%, respectively, could be proper candidate for use in muscle tissue engineering. © The Author(s) 2016.

Probing Subsurface and Stream Particle Composition Through Optical Analysis at the Eel River Critical Zone Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nghiem, A.; Thurnhoffer, B. M.; Bishop, J. K. B.; Kim, H.

2014-12-01

Particles constitute a significant portion of the flux weathered material from continents to ocean basins but little is understood about their seasonal dynamics particularly in subsurface and headwater stream environments. At the Eel River Critical Zone Observatory, located near the headwaters of the South Fork Eel River in the Angelo Coast Range Reserve (Northern California), groundwater from weathered bedrock and stream waters are sampled at a frequency of one to three days from three wells (Well 1 down-slope, Well 3 mid-slope, Well 10 upper-slope) and Elder Creek. Approximately one thousand samples collected by automated ISCO Gravity Filtration System (GFS; Kim et al. 2012, EST) since 2011 have been filtered through 0.45 μm 25 mm diameter Supor filters. Filters imaged under controlled lighting are analyzed for red, green, and blue optical density (OD) to enable rapid assessment of sample loading and color as a prelude to and selection aid for more labor-intensive ICP-MS and Scanning Electron Microscopic analysis. For example, samples with lower red OD relative to green and blue may correspond to samples high in Mn/Fe oxides. Optical imaging of the loaded filters provides a time-series over three years and color anomalies in these filters along with chemical analysis of dissolved and particulate filtrate is used to establish a method for calibrating optical data to interpret chemical composition of water and particles. Results are interpreted within a framework of environmental data such as rainfall, stream discharge and turbidity, and water table depth measured at the heavily monitored forested hillslope. Data from the four locations range up to 0.6 OD units with a typical detection limit of better than 0.01 OD units. At Well 10, wet season filter samples exhibit highest particle loading (OD ~ 0.3) with values rapidly decreasing during the dry season (OD < D.L.) water table recession. At Well 1, particle loads instantaneously reflect intense rain events. Applied at a larger scale, this method - if proven - may be used to estimate basin level particulate flux with an estimation of chemical composition in a highly efficient manner.

Microbial screening for quinolones residues in cow milk by bio-optical method.

PubMed

Appicciafuoco, Brunella; Dragone, Roberto; Frazzoli, Chiara; Bolzoni, Giuseppe; Mantovani, Alberto; Ferrini, Anna Maria

2015-03-15

The use of antibiotics on lactating cows should be monitored for the possible risk of milk contamination with residues. Accordingly, Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) are established by the European Commission to guarantee consumers safety. As pointed out by Dec 2002/657/EC, screening is the first step in the strategy for antibiotic residue control, thus playing a key role in the whole control procedure. However, current routine screening methods applied in milk chain still fail to detect residues of quinolones at concentrations of interest. This paper reports the findings of a new bio-optical method for the screening of quinolones residues in bovine milk, based on E. coli ATCC 11303 growth inhibition. The effect of blank and spiked cow milk samples (aliquots equivalents to 0.8%, v/v) is evaluated in Mueller Hinton Broth (MHb) and MHb enriched with MgSO4 2% (MHb-Mg) inoculated with the test strain at the concentration of 10(4)CFU/mL. The presence of quinolones inhibits the cellular growth in MHb, while this effect is neutralized in MHb-Mg allowing both detection and presumptive identification of quinolones. Growth of the test strain is monitored at 37 °C in a Bioscreen C automated system, and Optical Density (OD) at 600 nm is recorded every 10 min after shaking for 10s. Growth curves (OD vs. time) of E. coli ATCC 11303 are assessed in milk samples, with and without quinolones, and their differences in terms of ΔOD (ΔOD600nm=ODMHb-Mg-ODMHb) are calculated. The presence of quinolones is detected by the cellular growth inhibition (OD vs time, none increase in the value OD) and presumptively identified through the increase of the slope of ΔOD600nm curve (ΔOD vs. time), after about 3h of incubation. The detection limit for ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin is at the level of MRL, for marbofloxacin is at 2-fold the MRL whereas for danofloxacin is at 4-fold the MRL. Although the sensitivity of the method could be further improved and the procedure automated, it is a promising step forward to integrate screening assays into the control process and, in particular, to fill in the gap for quinolones; moreover, these technological developments contribute to the One Health perspective through the monitoring of safe and correct use of veterinary antibiotics. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Irradiation effects in oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) Ni-base alloys for Gen. IV nuclear reactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oono, Naoko; Ukai, Shigeharu; Kondo, Sosuke; Hashitomi, Okinobu; Kimura, Akihiko

2015-10-01

Oxide particle dispersion strengthened (ODS) Ni-base alloys are irradiated by using simulation technique (Fe/He dual-ion irradiation) to investigate the reliability to Gen. IV high-temperature reactors. The fine oxide particles with less than 10 nm in average size and approximately 8.0 × 1022 m-3 in number density remained after 101 dpa irradiation. The tiny helium bubbles were inside grains, not at grain-boundaries; it is advantageous effect of oxide particles which trap the helium atoms at the particle-matrix interface. Ni-base ODS alloys demonstrated their great ability to overcome He embrittlement.

Altered enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay immunoglobulin M (IgM)/IgG optical density ratios can correctly classify all primary or secondary dengue virus infections 1 day after the onset of symptoms, when all of the viruses can be isolated.

PubMed

Falconar, Andrew K I; de Plata, Elsa; Romero-Vivas, Claudia M E

2006-09-01

We compared dengue virus (DV) isolation rates and tested whether acute primary (P) and acute/probable acute secondary (S/PS) DV infections could be correctly classified serologically when the patients' first serum (S1) samples were obtained 1 to 3 days after the onset of symptoms (AOS). DV envelope/membrane protein-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) capture and IgG capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) titrations (1/log(10) 1.7 to 1 log(10) 6.6 dilutions) were performed on 100 paired S1 and S2 samples from suspected DV infections. The serologically confirmed S/PS infections were divided into six subgroups based on their different IgM and IgG responses. Because of their much greater dynamic ranges, IgG/IgM ELISA titer ratios were more accurate and reliable than IgM/IgG optical density (OD) ratios recorded at a single cutoff dilution for discriminating between P and S/PS infections. However, 62% of these patients' S1 samples were DV IgM and IgG titer negative (or=2.60 and <2.60) discriminatory IgM/IgG OD (DOD) ratios on these S1 samples than those published previously to correctly classify the highest percentage of these P and S/PS infections. The DV isolation rate was highest (12/12; 100%) using IgG and IgM titer-negative S1 samples collected 1 day AOS, when 100% of them were correctly classified as P or S/PS infections using these higher DOD ratios.

Biomechanical and morphological peculiarities of the rectum in patients with obstructed defecation syndrome.

PubMed

Brunenieks, Ints; Pekarska, Katrina; Kasyanov, Vladimir; Groma, Valerija

2017-01-01

The morphological and biomechanical peculiarities of the rectum observed in obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) are not completely understood. The biomechanical properties and morphological features of the rectum in patients with ODS in correlation with the status of the enteric nervous system (ENS) were evaluated. Uniaxial tensile tests on the rectum samples of patients with ODS and controls were performed; collagenous constituents were assessed by Reticulin and Masson's trichrome stainings; the expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), S100 and CD117 labeling of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) were investigated by immunohistochemistry. In both groups, the ultimate stress in the posterior rectal wall was statistically significantly higher compared to the anterior one. The ultimate strain was higher in ODS compared to controls. The tangential modulus of elasticity was significantly higher in the control group than in the ODS one, both in the anterior and posterior walls. A significantly higher density of collagen demonstrated throughout the wall was evidenced in controls compared to ODS. The mucosal muscular compartment was significantly thicker but more disorganized in the patients group. The enteric S100-positive glial cells were significantly reduced in number in the anterior wall, but elevated in the posterior wall of the rectum in ODS simultaneously demonstrating the higher numbers of ICCs within the entire muscular layer and myenteric. The biomechanical and morphological results show that the rectal wall in patients with ODS is more deformable and less rigid compared to controls. The results of biomechanical properties and morphological changes in the human rectum are essential when choosing the method of ODS treatment.

Correlation of microstructure and low cycle fatigue properties for 13.5Cr1.1W0.3Ti ODS steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, P.; Klimenkov, M.; Möslang, A.; Lindau, R.; Seifert, H. J.

2014-12-01

Reduced activation oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels are prospective structural materials for the blanket system and first wall components in Tokamak-type fusion reactors. Under the pulsed operation, these components will be predominantly subjected to cyclic thermal-mechanical loading which leads to inevitable fatigue damage. In this work, strain controlled isothermal fatigue tests were conducted for 13.5Cr1.1W0.3Ti ODS steel at 550 °C. The total strain range varied from 0.54% to 0.9%. After thermomechanical processing, 13.5CrWTi-ODS steel exhibits a remarkable lifetime extension with a factor of 10-20 for strain ranges Δε ⩽ 0.7%. 13.5Cr ODS steel shows no cyclic softening at all during the whole testing process irrespective of the strain range. TEM observations reveal ultrastable grain structure and constant dislocation densities around 1014 m-2, independent of the number of cycles or the applied strain amplitude. The presence of the stabilized ultrafine Y-Ti-O dispersoids enhances the microstructural stability and therefore leads to outstanding fatigue resistance for 13.5Cr1.1W0.3Ti-ODS steel.

Ultra-high temperature tensile properties of ODS steel claddings under severe accident conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yano, Y.; Tanno, T.; Oka, H.; Ohtsuka, S.; Inoue, T.; Kato, S.; Furukawa, T.; Uwaba, T.; Kaito, T.; Ukai, S.; Oono, N.; Kimura, A.; Hayashi, S.; Torimaru, T.

2017-04-01

Ultra-high temperature ring tensile tests were performed to investigate the tensile behavior of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steel claddings and wrapper materials under severe accident conditions with temperatures ranging from room temperature to 1400 °C which is close to the melting point of core materials. The experimental results showed that the tensile strength of 9Cr-ODS steel claddings was highest in the core materials at ultra-high temperatures of 900-1200 °C, but there was significant degradation in the tensile strength of 9Cr-ODS steel claddings above 1200 °C. This degradation was attributed to grain boundary sliding deformation with γ/δ transformation, which is associated with reduced ductility. By contrast, the tensile strength of recrystallized 12Cr-ODS and FeCrAl-ODS steel claddings retained its high value above 1200 °C, unlike the other tested materials.

Sol-gel open tubular ODS columns with reversed electroosmotic flow for capillary electrochromatography.

PubMed

Hayes, J D; Malik, A

2001-03-01

Sol-gel chemistry was successfully used for the fabrication of open tubular columns with surface-bonded octadecylsilane (ODS) stationary-phase coating for capillary electrochromatography (OT-CEC). Following column preparations, a series of experiments were performed to investigate the performance of the sol-gel coated ODS columns in OT-CEC. The incorporation of N-octadecyldimethyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride as one of the sol-gel precursors played an important role in the electrochromatographic performance of the prepared columns. This chemical reagent possesses a chromatographically favorable, bonded ODS moiety, in conjunction with three methoxy groups allowing for sol-gel reactivity. In addition, a positively charged nitrogen atom is present in the molecular structure of this reagent and provides a positively charged capillary surface responsible for the reversed electroosmotic flow (EOF) in the columns during CEC operation. Comparative studies involving the EOF within such sol-gel ODS coated and uncoated capillaries were performed using acetonitrile and methanol as the organic modifiers in the mobile phase. The use of a deactivating reagent, phenyldimethylsilane, in the sol-gel solution was evaluated. Efficiency values of over 400,000 theoretical plates per meter were achieved in CEC on a 64 cm x 25 microm i.d. sol-gel ODS open tubular column. Test mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene derivatives, and aromatic aldehydes and ketones were used to evaluate the CEC performances of both nondeactivated and deactivated open tubular sol-gel columns. The effects of mobile-phase organic modifier contents and pH on EOF in such columns were evaluated. The prepared sol-gel ODS columns are characterized by switchable electroosmotic flow. A pH value of approximately 8.5 was found correspond to the isoelectric point for the prepared sol-gel ODS coatings.

Wavelength-normalized spectroscopic analysis of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth rates.

PubMed

McBirney, Samantha E; Trinh, Kristy; Wong-Beringer, Annie; Armani, Andrea M

2016-10-01

Optical density (OD) measurements are the standard approach used in microbiology for characterizing bacteria concentrations in culture media. OD is based on measuring the optical absorbance of a sample at a single wavelength, and any error will propagate through all calculations, leading to reproducibility issues. Here, we use the conventional OD technique to measure the growth rates of two different species of bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The same samples are also analyzed over the entire UV-Vis wavelength spectrum, allowing a distinctly different strategy for data analysis to be performed. Specifically, instead of only analyzing a single wavelength, a multi-wavelength normalization process is implemented. When the OD method is used, the detected signal does not follow the log growth curve. In contrast, the multi-wavelength normalization process minimizes the impact of bacteria byproducts and environmental noise on the signal, thereby accurately quantifying growth rates with high fidelity at low concentrations.

Hot rolling and annealing effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ODS austenitic steel fabricated by electron beam selective melting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Rui; Ge, Wen-jun; Miao, Shu; Zhang, Tao; Wang, Xian-ping; Fang, Qian-feng

2016-03-01

The grain morphology, nano-oxide particles and mechanical properties of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS)-316L austenitic steel synthesized by electron beam selective melting (EBSM) technique with different post-working processes, were explored in this study. The ODS-316L austenitic steel with superfine nano-sized oxide particles of 30-40 nm exhibits good tensile strength (412 MPa) and large total elongation (about 51%) due to the pinning effect of uniform distributed oxide particles on dislocations. After hot rolling, the specimen exhibits a higher tensile strength of 482 MPa, but the elongation decreases to 31.8% owing to the introduction of high-density dislocations. The subsequent heat treatment eliminates the grain defects induced by hot rolling and increases the randomly orientated grains, which further improves the strength and ductility of EBSM ODS-316L steel.

Analysis of Interval Changes on Mammograms for Computer Aided Diagnosis

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-05-01

tizer was calibrated so that the gray values were linearly and erage pixel values in the template and ROI, respectively. The inversely proportional to the...earlier for linearly and inversely proportional to the OD within the alignment of the breast regions, except that the regions to be range 0-4 OD...results versely proportional to the radial distance r from the nipple. in a decrease in the value of (to 20 mm. This decrease helps For the data set

Detection of OD towards the low-mass protostar IRAS 16293-2422

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parise, B.; Du, F.; Liu, F.-C.; Belloche, A.; Wiesemeyer, H.; Güsten, R.; Menten, K. M.; Hübers, H.-W.; Klein, B.

2012-06-01

Context. Although water is an essential and widespread molecule in star-forming regions, its chemical formation pathways are still not very well constrained. Observing the level of deuterium fractionation of OH, a radical involved in the water chemical network, is a promising way to infer its chemical origin. Aims: We aim at understanding the formation mechanisms of water by investigating the origin of its deuterium fractionation. This can be achieved by observing the abundance of OD towards the low-mass protostar IRAS 16293-2422, where the HDO distribution is already known. Methods: Using the GREAT receiver on board SOFIA, we observed the ground-state OD transition at 1391.5 GHz towards the low-mass protostar IRAS 16293-2422. We also present the detection of the HDO 111-000 line using the APEX telescope. We compare the OD/HDO abundance ratio inferred from these observations with the predictions of chemical models. Results: The OD line is detected in absorption towards the source continuum. This is the first detection of OD outside the solar system. The SOFIA observation, coupled to the observation of the HDO 111-000 line, provides an estimate of the abundance ratio OD/HDO ~ 17-90 in the gas where the absorption takes place. This value is fairly high compared with model predictions. This may be reconciled if reprocessing in the gas by means of the dissociative recombination of H2DO+ further fractionates OH with respect to water. Conclusions: The present observation demonstrates the capability of the SOFIA/GREAT instrument to detect the ground transition of OD towards star-forming regions in a frequency range that was not accessible before. Dissociative recombination of H2DO+ may play an important role in setting a high OD abundance. Measuring the branching ratios of this reaction in the laboratory will be of great value for chemical models. Figure 5 is available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

Management of bacterial kidney disease in Chinook Salmon hatcheries based on broodstock testing by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: A multiyear study

USGS Publications Warehouse

Munson, A. Douglas; Elliott, Diane G.; Johnson, Keith

2010-01-01

From the mid-1980s through the early 1990s, outbreaks of bacterial kidney disease (BKD) caused by Renibacterium salmoninarum continued in Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) hatcheries despite the use of three control methods: (1) injection of returning adult fish with erythromycin to reduce prespawning BKD mortality and limit vertical transmission of R. salmoninarum, (2) topical disinfection of green eggs with iodophor, and (3) prophylactic treatments of juvenile fish with erythromycin-medicated feed. In addition, programs to manage BKD through measurement of R. salmoninarum antigen levels in kidney tissues from spawning female Chinook salmon by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were tested over 13–15 brood years at three IDFG hatcheries. The ELISA results were used for either (1) segregated rearing of progeny from females with high ELISA optical density (OD) values (usually ≥0.25), which are indicative of high R. salmoninarum antigen levels, or (2) culling of eggs from females with high ELISA OD values. The ELISA-based culling program had the most profound positive effects on the study populations. Mortality of juvenile fish during rearing was significantly lower at each hatchery for brood years derived from culling compared with brood years for which culling was not practiced. The prevalence of R. salmoninarum in juvenile fish, as evidenced by detection of the bacterium in kidney smears by the direct fluorescent antibody test, also decreased significantly at each hatchery. In addition, the proportions of returning adult females with kidney ELISA OD values of 0.25 or more decreased 56–85% for fish reared in brood years during which culling was practiced, whereas the proportions of ELISA-negative adults increased 55–58%. This management strategy may allow IDFG Chinook salmon hatcheries to reduce or eliminate prophylactic erythromycin-medicated feed treatments. We recommend using ELISA-based management of BKD in Chinook salmon hatcheries where it is a concern.

Quantitative optical coherence microscopy for the in situ investigation of the biofilm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meleppat, Ratheesh Kumar; Shearwood, Christopher; Keey, Seah Leong; Matham, Murukeshan Vadakke

2016-12-01

This paper explores the potential of optical coherence microscopy (OCM) for the in situ monitoring of biofilm growth. The quantitative imaging of the early developmental biology of a representative biofilm, Klebsiella pneumonia (KP-1), was performed using a swept source-based Fourier domain OCM system. The growth dynamics of the KP-1 biofilms and their transient response under perturbation was investigated using the enface visualization of microcolonies and their spatial localization. Furthermore, the optical density (OD) and planar density of the biofilms are calculated using an OCM technique and compared with OD and colony forming units measured using standard procedures via the sampling of the flow-cell effluent.

Osseodensification for enhancement of spinal surgical hardware fixation.

PubMed

Lopez, Christopher D; Alifarag, Adham M; Torroni, Andrea; Tovar, Nick; Diaz-Siso, J Rodrigo; Witek, Lukasz; Rodriguez, Eduardo D; Coelho, Paulo G

2017-05-01

Integration between implant and bone is an essential concept for osseous healing requiring hardware placement. A novel approach to hardware implantation, termed osseodensification, is described here as an effective alternative. 12 sheep averaging 65kg had fixation devices installed in their C2, C3, and C4 vertebral bodies; each device measured 4mm diameter×10mm length. The left-sided vertebral body devices were implanted using regular surgical drilling (R) while the right-sided devices were implanted using osseodensification drilling (OD). The C2 and C4 vertebra provided the t=0 in vivo time point, while the C3 vertebra provided the t=3 and t=6 week time points, in vivo. Structural competence of hardware was measured using biomechanical testing of pullout strength, while the quality and degree of new bone formation and remodeling was assessed via histomorphometry. Pullout strength demonstrated osseodensification drilling to provide superior anchoring when compared to the control group collapsed over time with statistical significance (p<0.01). On Wilcoxon rank signed test, C2 and C4 specimens demonstrated significance when comparing device pullout (p=0.031) for both, and C3 pullout tests at 3 and 6 weeks collapsed over time had significance as well (p=0.027). Percent bone-to-implant contact (%BIC) analysis as a function of drilling technique demonstrated an OD group with significantly higher values relative to the R group (p<0.01). Similarly, percent bone-area-fraction-occupancy (BAFO) analysis presented with significantly higher values for the OD group compared to the R group (p=0.024). As a function of time, between 0 and 3 weeks, a decrease in BAFO was observed, a trend that reversed between 3 and 6 weeks, resulting in a BAFO value roughly equivalent to the t=0 percentage, which was attributed to an initial loss of bone fraction due to remodeling, followed by regaining of bone fraction via production of woven bone. Histomorphological data demonstrated autologous bone chips in the OD group with greater frequency relative to the control, which acted as nucleating surfaces promoting new bone formation around the implants, providing superior stability and greater bone density. This alternative approach to a critical component of hardware implantation encourages assessment of current surgical approaches to hardware implantation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Osseodensification for enhancement of spinal surgical hardware fixation

PubMed Central

Lopez, Christopher D.; Alifarag, Adham M.; Torroni, Andrea; Tovar, Nick; Diaz-Siso, J. Rodrigo; Witek, Lukasz; Rodriguez, Eduardo D.; Coelho, Paulo G.

2017-01-01

Integration between implant and bone is an essential concept for osseous healing requiring hardware placement. A novel approach to hardware implantation, termed osseodensification, is described here as an effective alternative. 12 sheep averaging 65 kg had fixation devices installed in their C2, C3, and C4 vertebral bodies; each device measured 4 mm diameter×10 mm length. The left-sided vertebral body devices were implanted using regular surgical drilling (R) while the right-sided devices were implanted using osseodensification drilling (OD). The C2 and C4 vertebra provided the t=0 in vivo time point, while the C3 vertebra provided the t=3 and t=6 week time points, in vivo. Structural competence of hardware was measured using biomechanical testing of pullout strength, while the quality and degree of new bone formation and remodeling was assessed via histomorphometry. Pullout strength demonstrated osseodensification drilling to provide superior anchoring when compared to the control group collapsed over time with statistical significance (p < 0.01). On Wilcoxon rank signed test, C2 and C4 specimens demonstrated significance when comparing device pullout (p=0.031) for both, and C3 pullout tests at 3 and 6 weeks collapsed over time had significance as well (p=0.027). Percent bone-to-implant contact (%BIC) analysis as a function of drilling technique demonstrated an OD group with significantly higher values relative to the R group (p < 0.01). Similarly, percent bone-area-fraction-occupancy (BAFO) analysis presented with significantly higher values for the OD group compared to the R group (p=0.024). As a function of time, between 0 and 3 weeks, a decrease in BAFO was observed, a trend that reversed between 3 and 6 weeks, resulting in a BAFO value roughly equivalent to the t=0 percentage, which was attributed to an initial loss of bone fraction due to remodeling, followed by regaining of bone fraction via production of woven bone. Histomorphological data demonstrated autologous bone chips in the OD group with greater frequency relative to the control, which acted as nucleating surfaces promoting new bone formation around the implants, providing superior stability and greater bone density. This alternative approach to a critical component of hardware implantation encourages assessment of current surgical approaches to hardware implantation. PMID:28113132

Single point dilution method for the quantitative analysis of antibodies to the gag24 protein of HIV-1.

PubMed

Palenzuela, D O; Benítez, J; Rivero, J; Serrano, R; Ganzó, O

1997-10-13

In the present work a concept proposed in 1992 by Dopotka and Giesendorf was applied to the quantitative analysis of antibodies to the p24 protein of HIV-1 in infected asymptomatic individuals and AIDS patients. Two approaches were analyzed, a linear model OD = b0 + b1.log(titer) and a nonlinear log(titer) = alpha.OD beta, similar to the Dopotka-Giesendorf's model. The above two proposed models adequately fit the dependence of the optical density values at a single point dilution, and titers achieved by the end point dilution method (EPDM). Nevertheless, the nonlinear model better fits the experimental data, according to residuals analysis. Classical EPDM was compared with the new single point dilution method (SPDM) using both models. The best correlation between titers calculated using both models and titers achieved by EPDM was obtained with the nonlinear model. The correlation coefficients for the nonlinear and linear models were r = 0.85 and r = 0.77, respectively. A new correction factor was introduced into the nonlinear model and this reduced the day-to-day variation of titer values. In general, SPDM saves time, reagents and is more precise and sensitive to changes in antibody levels, and therefore has a higher resolution than EPDM.

Recent progresses in outcome-dependent sampling with failure time data.

PubMed

Ding, Jieli; Lu, Tsui-Shan; Cai, Jianwen; Zhou, Haibo

2017-01-01

An outcome-dependent sampling (ODS) design is a retrospective sampling scheme where one observes the primary exposure variables with a probability that depends on the observed value of the outcome variable. When the outcome of interest is failure time, the observed data are often censored. By allowing the selection of the supplemental samples depends on whether the event of interest happens or not and oversampling subjects from the most informative regions, ODS design for the time-to-event data can reduce the cost of the study and improve the efficiency. We review recent progresses and advances in research on ODS designs with failure time data. This includes researches on ODS related designs like case-cohort design, generalized case-cohort design, stratified case-cohort design, general failure-time ODS design, length-biased sampling design and interval sampling design.

Recent progresses in outcome-dependent sampling with failure time data

PubMed Central

Ding, Jieli; Lu, Tsui-Shan; Cai, Jianwen; Zhou, Haibo

2016-01-01

An outcome-dependent sampling (ODS) design is a retrospective sampling scheme where one observes the primary exposure variables with a probability that depends on the observed value of the outcome variable. When the outcome of interest is failure time, the observed data are often censored. By allowing the selection of the supplemental samples depends on whether the event of interest happens or not and oversampling subjects from the most informative regions, ODS design for the time-to-event data can reduce the cost of the study and improve the efficiency. We review recent progresses and advances in research on ODS designs with failure time data. This includes researches on ODS related designs like case–cohort design, generalized case–cohort design, stratified case–cohort design, general failure-time ODS design, length-biased sampling design and interval sampling design. PMID:26759313

Behavior of neutral solutes in pressurized flow driven electrochromatography using a mixed stationary phase of ODS and anion-exchange.

PubMed

Kitagawa, Shinya; Tsuda, Takao

2003-05-02

The behavior of neutral sample solutes in pressurized flow driven electrochromatography using a mixed stationary phase, which consisted of ODS and anion-exchange (ODS-SAX), was studied. Applications of both positive and negative voltage on a column induced increases in retention factors of sample solutes. The direction of an electroosmotic flow under applications of positive and negative voltage were the same, therefore, the sign of the surface charge density under positive and negative voltage was opposite. We proposed a new equation for the relationship between applied voltage and surface charge density, and the practical electroosmotic flow conformed to this equation. Studying the electroosmotic flow using our proposed equation revealed that the applied negative voltage accelerates the protonation of the quaternary ammonium group and dissociation of the silanol group on packing materials. The retention behavior of a neutral solute was affected by the existence of the charged functional groups. We propose that this phenomenon is applicable to the control of the retention behavior of a sample solute using an electric field.

Evaluation of the cadmium and lead phytoextraction by castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) in hydroponics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niu, Z. X.; Sun, L. N.

2017-06-01

Phytoextraction has been considered as an innovative method to remove toxic metals from soil; higher biomass plants such as castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) have already been considered as a hyperaccumulating candidate. In the present study, castor bean was used to accumulate the cadmium and lead in hydroponic culture, and the root exudates and biomass changes were analyzed. Results demonstrated that ratios of aerial biomass/ root biomass (AW/RW) in treatments declined with concentrations of Cd or Pb. Optical density (OD) at 190 nm and 280 nm of root exudates observed in Cd and Pb treatments were lower than the control. In single Cd or Pb treatments, bioconcentration factors (BCF) of Cd or Pb increased with time and decreased with concentrations, the highest BCFs appeared in Cd5 (14.36) and Pb50 (6.48), respectively. Cd-BCF or Pb-BCF showed positive correlations with AW/RW ratios and OD values, and they were negative correlated with Cd and Pb concentration. Results in this study may supply useful information for phytoremediation of soil contaminated with cadmium and lead in situ.

Probing the Active Surface Sites for CO Reduction on Oxide-Derived Copper Electrocatalysts

DOE PAGES

Verdaguer-Casadevall, Arnau; Li, Christina W.; Johansson, Tobias P.; ...

2015-07-30

CO electroreduction activity on oxide-derived Cu (OD-Cu) was found to correlate with metastable surface features that bind CO strongly. OD-Cu electrodes prepared by H 2 reduction of Cu 2O precursors reduce CO to acetate and ethanol with nearly 50% Faradaic efficiency at moderate overpotential. Temperature-programmed desorption of CO on OD-Cu revealed the presence of surface sites with strong CO binding that are distinct from the terraces and stepped sites found on polycrystalline Cu foil. After annealing at 350 °C, the surface-area corrected current density for CO reduction is 44-fold lower and the Faradaic efficiency is less than 5%. These changesmore » are accompanied by a reduction in the proportion of strong CO binding sites. Here, we propose that the active sites for CO reduction on OD-Cu surfaces are strong CO binding sites that are supported by grain boundaries. Uncovering these sites is a first step toward understanding the surface chemistry necessary for efficient CO electroreduction.« less

Dosimetric accuracy of Kodak EDR2 film for IMRT verifications.

PubMed

Childress, Nathan L; Salehpour, Mohammad; Dong, Lei; Bloch, Charles; White, R Allen; Rosen, Isaac I

2005-02-01

Patient-specific intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) verifications require an accurate two-dimensional dosimeter that is not labor-intensive. We assessed the precision and reproducibility of film calibrations over time, measured the elemental composition of the film, measured the intermittency effect, and measured the dosimetric accuracy and reproducibility of calibrated Kodak EDR2 film for single-beam verifications in a solid water phantom and for full-plan verifications in a Rexolite phantom. Repeated measurements of the film sensitometric curve in a single experiment yielded overall uncertainties in dose of 2.1% local and 0.8% relative to 300 cGy. 547 film calibrations over an 18-month period, exposed to a range of doses from 0 to a maximum of 240 MU or 360 MU and using 6 MV or 18 MV energies, had optical density (OD) standard deviations that were 7%-15% of their average values. This indicates that daily film calibrations are essential when EDR2 film is used to obtain absolute dose results. An elemental analysis of EDR2 film revealed that it contains 60% as much silver and 20% as much bromine as Kodak XV2 film. EDR2 film also has an unusual 1.69:1 silver:halide molar ratio, compared with the XV2 film's 1.02:1 ratio, which may affect its chemical reactions. To test EDR2's intermittency effect, the OD generated by a single 300 MU exposure was compared to the ODs generated by exposing the film 1 MU, 2 MU, and 4 MU at a time to a total of 300 MU. An ion chamber recorded the relative dose of all intermittency measurements to account for machine output variations. Using small MU bursts to expose the film resulted in delivery times of 4 to 14 minutes and lowered the film's OD by approximately 2% for both 6 and 18 MV beams. This effect may result in EDR2 film underestimating absolute doses for patient verifications that require long delivery times. After using a calibration to convert EDR2 film's OD to dose values, film measurements agreed within 2% relative difference and 2 mm criteria to ion chamber measurements for both sliding window and step-and-shoot fluence map verifications. Calibrated film results agreed with ion chamber measurements to within 5 % /2 mm criteria for transverse-plane full-plan verifications, but were consistently low. When properly calibrated, EDR2 film can be an adequate two-dimensional dosimeter for IMRT verifications, although it may underestimate doses in regions with long exposure times.

Diagnosis of occlusal dysesthesia utilizing prefrontal hemodynamic activity with slight occlusal interference.

PubMed

Ono, Yumie; Ishikawa, Yu; Munakata, Motohiro; Shibuya, Tomoaki; Shimada, Atsushi; Miyachi, Hideo; Wake, Hiroyuki; Tamaki, Katsushi

2016-11-01

Clinical diagnosis of occlusal dysesthesia (OD), also referred to as phantom bite syndrome, is currently based on the absence of objective occlusal discrepancy despite the persistent complaint of uncomfortable bite sensation. We previously demonstrated that the subjective feeling of occlusal discomfort generated by artificial occlusal interference can be objectively evaluated using prefrontal hemodynamic activity in young healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate whether dental patients with and without OD show distinct prefrontal activity during grinding behavior with an occlusal interference. Six dental patients with OD (OD group) and eight patients without OD (control group) grinded piled occlusal strips placed between their first molars and reported their perception and discomfort thresholds during continuous monitoring of prefrontal hemodynamic activity with a portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Although patients without OD showed the typical hemodynamic pattern of increased oxyhemoglobin and reduced deoxyhemoglobin (HHb) concentration, those with OD showed persistent incremental increases of HHb concentration that began at the loading of occlusal strips on their molars before they executed grinding. The intensities of the task-related HHb activities showed statistically significant differences between OD and control groups, particularly at channel 3, arranged over the left frontal pole cortex. When the discrimination criterion was set using the intensity values of channel 3 from both groups, the overall accuracy of the OD discrimination was 92.9%. Although physiological interpretation has yet to be elucidated, the task-related response of an increase in HHb may be a useful neuronal signature to characterize dental patients with OD.

Diagnosis of occlusal dysesthesia utilizing prefrontal hemodynamic activity with slight occlusal interference

PubMed Central

Ishikawa, Yu; Munakata, Motohiro; Shibuya, Tomoaki; Shimada, Atsushi; Miyachi, Hideo; Wake, Hiroyuki; Tamaki, Katsushi

2016-01-01

Clinical diagnosis of occlusal dysesthesia (OD), also referred to as phantom bite syndrome, is currently based on the absence of objective occlusal discrepancy despite the persistent complaint of uncomfortable bite sensation. We previously demonstrated that the subjective feeling of occlusal discomfort generated by artificial occlusal interference can be objectively evaluated using prefrontal hemodynamic activity in young healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate whether dental patients with and without OD show distinct prefrontal activity during grinding behavior with an occlusal interference. Six dental patients with OD (OD group) and eight patients without OD (control group) grinded piled occlusal strips placed between their first molars and reported their perception and discomfort thresholds during continuous monitoring of prefrontal hemodynamic activity with a portable functional near‐infrared spectroscopy. Although patients without OD showed the typical hemodynamic pattern of increased oxyhemoglobin and reduced deoxyhemoglobin (HHb) concentration, those with OD showed persistent incremental increases of HHb concentration that began at the loading of occlusal strips on their molars before they executed grinding. The intensities of the task‐related HHb activities showed statistically significant differences between OD and control groups, particularly at channel 3, arranged over the left frontal pole cortex. When the discrimination criterion was set using the intensity values of channel 3 from both groups, the overall accuracy of the OD discrimination was 92.9%. Although physiological interpretation has yet to be elucidated, the task‐related response of an increase in HHb may be a useful neuronal signature to characterize dental patients with OD. PMID:29744159

Transdermal skin patch based on reduced graphene oxide: A new approach for photothermal triggered permeation of ondansetron across porcine skin.

PubMed

Teodorescu, Florina; Quéniat, Gurvan; Foulon, Catherine; Lecoeur, Marie; Barras, Alexandre; Boulahneche, Samia; Medjram, Mohmaed Salah; Hubert, Thomas; Abderrahmani, Amar; Boukherroub, Rabah; Szunerits, Sabine

2017-01-10

The development of a skin-mounted patch capable of controlled transcutaneous delivery of therapeutics through thermal activation provides a unique solution for the controlled release of active principles over long-term periods. Here, we report on a flexible transdermal patch for photothermal triggered release of ondansetron (ODS), a commonly used drug for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and used as model compound here. To achieve this, a dispersion of ODS-loaded reduced graphene oxide (rGO-ODS) nanosheets were deposited onto Kapton to produce a flexible polyimide-based patch. It is demonstrated that ODS loaded Kapton/rGO patches have a high drug delivery performance upon irradiation with a continuous laser beam at 980nm for 10min due to an induced photothermal heating effect. The ability of ODS impregnated Kapton/rGO patches as transdermal delivery scaffolds for ODS across the skin is in addition investigated using porcine ear skin as a model. We show that the cumulative quantity and flux of ODS passing the skin are highly depending on the laser power density used. At 5Wcm -2 irradiation, the ODS flux across pig skin was determined to be 1.6μgcm -2 h -1 comparable to other approaches. The use of tween 20 as skin enhancer could significantly increase the ODS flux to 13.2μgcm -2 h -1 . While the skin penetration enhancement is comparable to that obtained using other well-known permeation enhancers, the actual superiority and interest of the proposed approach is that the Kapton/rGO photoactivatable skin patch can be loaded with any drugs and therapeutics of interest, making the approach extremely versatile. The on demand delivery of drugs upon local laser irradiation and the possibility to reload the interface with the drug makes this new drug administration route very appealing. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Design and manufacture of super-multilayer optical filters based on PARMS technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lü, Shaobo; Wang, Ruisheng; Ma, Jing; Jiang, Chao; Mu, Jiali; Zhao, Shuaifeng; Yin, Xiaojun

2018-04-01

Three multilayer interference optical filters, including a UV band-pass, a VIS dual-band-pass and a notch filter, were designed by using Ta2O5, Nb2O5, Al2O3 and SiO2 as high- and low-index materials. During the design of the coating process, a hybrid optical monitoring and RATE-controlled layer thickness control scheme was adopted. The coating process was simulated by using the optical monitoring system (OMS) Simulator, and the simulation result indicated that the layer thickness can be controlled within an error of less than ±0.1%. The three filters were manufactured on a plasma-assisted reactive magnetic sputtering (PARMS) coating machine. The measurements indicate that for the UV band-pass filter, the peak transmittance is higher than 95% and the blocking density is better than OD6 in the 300-1100 nm region, whereas for the dual-band-pass filter, the center wavelength positioning accuracy of the two passbands are less than ±2 nm, the peak transmittance is higher than 95% and blocking density is better than OD6 in the 300-950 nm region. Finally, for the notch filter, the minimum transmittance rates are >90% and >94% in the visible and near infrared, respectively, and the blocking density is better than OD5.5 at 808 nm.

The rotational order-disorder structure of the reversibly photoswitchable red fluorescent protein rsTagRFP.

PubMed

Pletnev, Sergei; Subach, Fedor V; Verkhusha, Vladislav V; Dauter, Zbigniew

2014-01-01

The rotational order-disorder (OD) structure of the reversibly photoswitchable fluorescent protein rsTagRFP is discussed in detail. The structure is composed of tetramers of 222 symmetry incorporated into the lattice in two different orientations rotated 90° with respect to each other around the crystal c axis and with tetramer axes coinciding with the crystallographic twofold axes. The random distribution of alternatively oriented tetramers in the crystal creates the rotational OD structure with statistically averaged I422 symmetry. Despite order-disorder pathology, the structure of rsTagRFP has electron-density maps of good quality for both non-overlapping and overlapping parts of the model. The crystal contacts, crystal internal architecture and a possible mechanism of rotational OD crystal formation are discussed.

Vibrationally induced flip motion of a hydroxyl dimer on Cu(110)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ootsuka, Yasuhiro; Frederiksen, Thomas; Ueba, Hiromu; Paulsson, Magnus

2011-11-01

Recent low-temperature scanning-tunneling microscopy experiments [T. Kumagai , Phys. Rev. BPLRBAQ0556-280510.1103/PhysRevB.79.035423 79, 035423 (2009)] observed the vibrationally induced flip motion of a hydroxyl dimer (OD)2 on Cu(110). We propose a model to describe two-level fluctuations and current-voltage characteristics of nanoscale systems that undergo vibrationally induced switching. The parameters of the model are based on comprehensive density functional calculations of the system’s vibrational properties. For the dimer (OD)2, the calculated population of the high- and low-conductance states, the I-V, dI/dV, and d2I/dV2 curves are in good agreement with the experimental results and underline the different roles played by the free and shared OD stretch modes of the dimer.

Microstructure characterization and strengthening mechanisms of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) Fe-9%Cr and Fe-14%Cr extruded bars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chauhan, A.; Bergner, F.; Etienne, A.; Aktaa, J.; de Carlan, Y.; Heintze, C.; Litvinov, D.; Hernandez-Mayoral, M.; Oñorbe, E.; Radiguet, B.; Ulbricht, A.

2017-11-01

The collaborative study is focused on the relationship between microstructure and yield stress for an ODS Fe-9%Cr-based transformable alloy and an ODS Fe-14%Cr-based ferritic alloy. The contributions to the total room temperature yield stress arising from various strengthening mechanisms are addressed on the basis of a comprehensive description of the microstructures uncovered by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and atom probe tomography (APT). While these methods provide a high degree of complementarity, a reasonable agreement was found in cases of overlap of information. The derived set of microstructure parameters along with reported strengthening equations was used to calculate the room temperature yield stress. The estimates were critically compared with the measured yield stress for an extended set of alloys including data reported for Fe-Cr model alloys and steels thus covering one order of magnitude or more in grain size, dislocation density, particle density and yield stress. The comparison shows that particle strengthening, dislocation forest strengthening, and Hall-Petch strengthening are the major contributions and that a mixed superposition rule reproduces the measured yield stress within experimental scatter for the whole extended set of alloys. The wide variation of microstructures additionally underpins the conclusions and goes beyond previous work, in which one or few ODS steels and narrow microstructure variations were typically covered.

Organization Development: Change Strategies. New Directions for Community Colleges, Number 37.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hammons, James, Ed.

1982-01-01

The essays in this collection focus on various aspects of organization development (OD) and its application in educational institutions. First, Jim Hammons provides an overview of OD and its value to the community college. Then, Richard Woodman and William Muse describe techniques and methodologies that have been successful in improving work group…

Selective protection of normal hepatocytes by indocyanine green in photodynamic therapy for the hepatoma of rat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Ying; Li, Junheng; Guo, Zhong-He

1993-03-01

Using hepatocarcinoma transplanted rats, the present study made consecutive observation for the color change and indocyanine green (ICG) absorption peak of the normal liver and tumor tissues after intravenous injection of ICG. The normal liver tissue of the rat was found to turn violet-green soon after ICG injection and the optic density (OD) of ICG-characteristic spectral peak of the tissue homogenate reached its maximum value at 35 minutes post-injection, while neither color change nor OD value increase was noticed in the tissue of transplanted hepatocarcinoma, suggesting that there is a specific absorption of ICG by the normal liver tissue. Chemiluminescentoassay revealed inhibited luminal chemiluminescence by ICG, indicating the depression of singlet oxygen and reactive oxygen species (ROS) oxidation during HPD photosensitization by ICG. In PDT of the hepatocarcinoma, the irradiated area was examined under microscope and auto-microimage analysis system after ICG administration. For tumor-free tissue, the photosensitization induced necrotic area was found smaller in those with than those without ICG administration, whereas the tumor killing effect was almost the same of the two. It is suggested that ICG may offer selective protection for healthy hepatocytes without diminishing the destruction of tumor cells. The protection of healthy hepatocytes by ICG is thought to be in accordance with the amount of ICG in the cell and the distribution of light energy.

Interrater reliability of the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test; screening for dysphagia among hospitalized elderly medical patients.

PubMed

Jørgensen, Lise Walther; Søndergaard, Kasper; Melgaard, Dorte; Warming, Susan

2017-12-01

Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is prevalent among medical and geriatric patients admitted due to acute illness and it is associated with malnutrition, increased length of stay and increased mortality. A valid and reliable bedside screening test for patients at risk of OD is essential in order to detect patients in need of further assessment. The Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test (V-VST) has been shown to be a valid screening test for OD in mixed outpatient populations. However, as reliability of the test has yet to be investigated in a population of medical and geriatric patients admitted due to acute illness, we aimed to determine the interrater reliability of the V-VST in this clinical setting. Reporting in this study is in accordance with proposed guidelines for the reporting of reliability and agreement studies (GRRAS). In three Danish hospitals (CRD-BFH, CRD-GH, NDR-H) 11 skilled occupational therapists examined an unselected group of 110 patients admitted to geriatric or medical wards. In an overall agreement phase raters reached ≥80% agreement before data collection phase was commenced. The V-VST was applied to patients twice within maximum one hour by raters who administrated the test in an order based on randomization, blinded to each other's results. Agreement, Kappa values, weighed Kappa values and Kappa adjusted for bias and prevalence are reported. The interrater reliability of V-VST as screening test for OD in patients admitted to geriatric or medical wards was substantial with an overall Kappa value of 0.77 (95% CI 0.65-0.89) however interrater reliability varied among hospitals ranging from 0.37 (95% CI -0.01 to 0.41) to 0.85 (95% CI 0.75-1.00). Interrater reliability of the accompanying recommendations of volume and viscosity was moderate with a weighted kappa value of 0.55 (95% CI 0.37-0.73) for viscosity and 0.53 (95% CI 0.36-0.7) for volume. The overall prevalence of OD was 34.5%, ranging from 8% to 53.6% across hospitals. The prevalence and bias adjusted Kappa value (PABAK) was 0.76 (range 0.6-0.85). Mean time to perform the test was 13.1 min (SD 6.924). The V-VST seems to be a moderately reliable screening tool for detecting OD among medical and geriatric patients. However, the recommendations of volume and viscosity add limited clinical value to the test. Copyright © 2017 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Geographic dimensions of a health network dedicated to occupational and work related diseases.

PubMed

Delaunay, Marie; Godard, Vincent; Le Barbier, Mélina; Gilg Soit Ilg, Annabelle; Aubert, Cédric; Maître, Anne; Barbeau, Damien; Bonneterre, Vincent

2016-09-27

Although introduced nearly 40 years ago, Geographic Information Systems (GISs) have never been used to study Occupational Health information regarding the different types, scale or sources of data. The geographic distribution of occupational diseases and underlying work activities were always analyzed independently. Our aim was to consider the French Network of Occupational Disease (OD) clinics, namely the "French National OD Surveillance and Prevention Network" (rnv3p) as a spatial object in order to describe its catchment. We mapped rnv3p observations at the workplace level. We initially analyzed rnv3p capture with reference to its own data, then to the underlying workforce (INSEE "Employment Areas"), and finally compared its capture of one emblematic occupational disease (mesothelioma) to an external dataset provided by a surveillance system thought to be exhaustive (PNSM). While the whole country is covered by the network, the density of observations decreases with increase in the distance from the 31 OD clinics (located within the main French cities). Taking into account the underlying workforce, we show that the probability to capture and investigation of OD (assessed by rates of OD per 10,000 workers) also presents large discrepancies between OD clinics. This capture rate might also show differences according to the disease, as exemplified by mesothelioma. The geographic approach to this network, enhanced by the possibilities provided by the GIS tool, allow a better understanding of the coverage of this network at a national level, as well as the visualization of capture rates for all OD clinics. Highlighting geographic and thematic shading zones bring new perspectives to the analysis of occupational health data, and should improve occupational health vigilance and surveillance.

The transfer of seasonal isotopic variability between precipitation and drip water at eight caves in the monsoon regions of China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duan, Wuhui; Ruan, Jiaoyang; Luo, Weijun; Li, Tingyong; Tian, Lijun; Zeng, Guangneng; Zhang, Dezhong; Bai, Yijun; Li, Jilong; Tao, Tao; Zhang, Pingzhong; Baker, Andy; Tan, Ming

2016-06-01

This study presents new stable isotope data for precipitation (δ18Op) and drip water (δ18Od) from eight cave sites in the monsoon regions of China (MRC), with monthly to bi-monthly sampling intervals from May-2011 to April-2014, to investigate the regional-scale climate forcing on δ18Op and how the isotopic signals are transmitted to various drip sites. The monthly δ18Op values show negative correlation with surface air temperature at all the cave sites except Shihua Cave, which is opposite to that expected from the temperature effect. In addition, although the monthly δ18Op values are negatively correlated with precipitation at all the cave sites, only three sites are significant at the 95% level. These indicate that, due to the various vapor sources, a large portion of variability in δ18Op in the MRC cannot be explained simply by either temperature or precipitation alone. All the thirty-four drip sites are classified into three types based on the δ18Od variability. About 82% of them are static drips with little discernable variation in δ18Od through the whole study period, but the drip rates of these drips are not necessary constant. Their discharge modes are site-specific and the oxygen isotopic composition of the stalagmites growing from them may record the average of multi-year climatic signals, which are modulated by the seasonality of recharge and potential effects of evaporation, and in some cases infiltration from large rainfall events. About 12% of the thirty-four drip sites are seasonal drips, although the amplitude of δ18Od is narrower than that of δ18Op, the monthly response of δ18Od to coeval precipitation is not completely damped, and some of them follow the seasonal trend of δ18Op very well. These drips may be mainly recharged by present-day precipitation, mixing with some stored water. Thus, the stalagmites growing under them may record portions of the seasonal climatic signals embedded in δ18Op. About 6% of the thirty-four drip sites are medium-variability drips, with constant and relatively low δ18Od values in the wet season, but with variable and relatively high δ18Od values in the dry season, reflecting flow switching in the karst or evaporation inside the cave.

Study on two operating conditions of a full-scale oxidation ditch for optimization of energy consumption and effluent quality by using CFD model.

PubMed

Yang, Yin; Yang, Jiakuan; Zuo, Jiaolan; Li, Ye; He, Shu; Yang, Xiao; Zhang, Kai

2011-05-01

The operating condition of an oxidation ditch (OD) has significant impact on energy consumption and effluent quality of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). An experimentally validated numerical tool, based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, was proposed to optimize the operating condition by considering two important factors: flow field and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration profiles. The model is capable of predicting flow pattern and oxygen mass transfer characteristics in ODs equipped with surface aerators and submerged impellers. Performance demonstration and comparison of two operating conditions (existing and improved) were carried out in two full-scale Carrousel ODs at the Ping Dingshan WWTP in Henan, China. A moving wall model and a fan model were designed to simulate surface aerators and submerged impellers, respectively. Oxygen mass transfer in the ditch was predicted by using a unit analysis method. In aeration zones, the mass inlets representing the surface aerators were set as one source of DO. In the whole straight channel, the oxygen consumption was modeled by using modified BOD-DO model. The following results were obtained: (1) the CFD model characterized flow pattern and DO concentration profiles in the full-scale OD. The predicted flow field values were within 1.98 ± 4.28% difference from the actual measured values while the predicted DO concentration values were within -4.71 ± 4.15% of the measured ones, (2) a surface aerator should be relocated to around 15m from the curve bend entrance to reduce energy loss caused by fierce collisions at the wall of the curve bend, and (3) DO concentration gradients in the OD under the improved operating condition were more favorable for occurrence of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND). Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Calibration of Al/Si order variations in anorthite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carpenter, M. A.; Angel, R. J.; Finger, L. W.

1990-07-01

New single crystal diffraction data for natural and heat-treated anorthite crystals (Angel et al. 1990) allow the determination of their states of Al/Si order in terms of a macroscopic order parameter, Q OD , for the MediaObjects/410_2005_BF01575624_f1.tif transition. Numerical values of Q OD obtained from estimates of site occupancies are shown to vary with the scalar spontaneous strain, ɛ s , as ɛ s ∝ Q {/OD 2}, and with the ratio of the sums of type b (superlattice) reflections and type a (sublattice) reflections as ΣI b/ ΣI a ∝ Q {/OD 2}. An empirical calibration for pure anorthite is obtained givingQ_{OD} = 10.1left( 5 right)sqrt {\\varepsilon _s } varies between ˜ 0.92 and ˜ 0.87 in samples equilibrated at T≤1300° C, but then falls off relatively rapidly with increasing temperature, reaching ˜ 0.7 near the melting point (˜ 1557° C). The observed temperature dependence does not conform to the predictions of the simplest single order parameter models; coupling of Q OD with Q of the MediaObjects/410_2005_BF01575624_f2.tif transition is suspeeted.

Hardening of ODS ferritic steels under irradiation with high-energy heavy ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Z. N.; Zhang, C. H.; Yang, Y. T.; Song, Y.; Kimura, A.; Jang, J.

2017-09-01

Influence of the nanoscale oxide particles on mechanical properties and irradiation resistance of oxide-dispersion-strengthened (ODS) ferritic steels is of critical importance for the use of the material in fuel cladding or blanket components in advanced nuclear reactors. In the present work, impact of structures of oxide dispersoids on the irradiation hardening of ODS ferritic steels was studied. Specimens of three high-Cr ODS ferritic steels containing oxide dispersoids with different number density and average size were irradiated with high-energy Ni ions at about -50 °C. The energy of the incident Ni ions was varied from 12.73 MeV to 357.86 MeV by using an energy degrader at the terminal so that a plateau of atomic displacement damage (∼0.8 dpa) was produced from the near surface to a depth of 24 μm in the specimens. A nanoindentor (in constant stiffness mode with a diamond Berkovich indenter) and a Vickers micro-hardness tester were used to measure the hardeness of the specimens. The Nix-Gao model taking account of the indentation size effect (ISE) was used to fit the hardness data. It is observed that the soft substrate effect (SSE) can be diminished substantially in the irradiated specimens due to the thick damaged regions produced by the Ni ions. A linear correlation between the nano-hardeness and the micro-hardness was found. It is observed that a higher number density of oxide dispersoids with a smaller average diameter corresponds to an increased resistance to irradiation hardening, which can be ascribed to the increased sink strength of oxides/matrix interfaces to point defects. The rate equation approach and the conventional hardening model were used to analyze the influence of defect clusters on irradiation hardening in ODS ferritic steels. The numerical estimates show that the hardening caused by the interstitial type dislocation loops follows a similar trend with the experiment data.

Response of 9Cr-ODS Steel to Proton Irradiation at 400 °C

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jianchao He; Farong Wan; Kumar Sridharan

2014-09-01

The stability of Y–Ti–O nanoclusters, dislocation structure, and grain boundary segregation in 9Cr-ODS steels has been investigated following proton irradiation at 400 °C with damage levels up to 3.7 dpa. A slight coarsening and a decrease in number density of nanoclusters were observed as a result of irradiation. The composition of nanoclusters was also observed to change with a slight increase of Y and Cr concentration in the nanoclusters following irradiation. Size, density, and composition of the nanoclusters were investigated as a function of nanocluster size, specifically classified to three groups. In addition to the changes in nanoclusters, dislocation loopsmore » were observed after irradiation. Finally, radiation-induced enrichment of Cr and depletion of W were observed at grain boundaries after irradiation.« less

Sensitivity and specificity of the Eating Assessment Tool and the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test for clinical evaluation of oropharyngeal dysphagia.

PubMed

Rofes, L; Arreola, V; Mukherjee, R; Clavé, P

2014-09-01

Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is an underdiagnosed digestive disorder that causes severe nutritional and respiratory complications. Our aim was to determine the accuracy of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) and the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test (V-VST) for clinical evaluation of OD. We studied 120 patients with swallowing difficulties and 14 healthy subjects. OD was evaluated by the 10-item screening questionnaire EAT-10 and the bedside method V-VST, videofluoroscopy (VFS) being the reference standard. The V-VST is an effort test that uses boluses of different volumes and viscosities to identify clinical signs of impaired efficacy (impaired labial seal, piecemeal deglutition, and residue) and impaired safety of swallow (cough, voice changes, and oxygen desaturation ≥3%). Discriminating ability was assessed by the AUC of the ROC curve and sensitivity and specificity values. According to VFS, prevalence of OD was 87%, 75.6% with impaired efficacy and 80.9% with impaired safety of swallow including 17.6% aspirations. The EAT-10 showed a ROC AUC of 0.89 for OD with an optimal cut-off at 2 (0.89 sensitivity and 0.82 specificity). The V-VST showed 0.94 sensitivity and 0.88 specificity for OD, 0.79 sensitivity and 0.75 specificity for impaired efficacy, 0.87 sensitivity and 0.81 specificity for impaired safety, and 0.91 sensitivity and 0.28 specificity for aspirations. Clinical methods for screening (EAT-10) and assessment (V-VST) of OD offer excellent psychometric proprieties that allow adequate management of OD. Their universal application among at-risk populations will improve the identification of patients with OD at risk for malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia. © 2014 The Authors. Neurogastroenterology & Motility published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Sensitivity and specificity of the Eating Assessment Tool and the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test for clinical evaluation of oropharyngeal dysphagia

PubMed Central

Rofes, L; Arreola, V; Mukherjee, R; Clavé, P

2014-01-01

Background Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is an underdiagnosed digestive disorder that causes severe nutritional and respiratory complications. Our aim was to determine the accuracy of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) and the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test (V-VST) for clinical evaluation of OD. Methods We studied 120 patients with swallowing difficulties and 14 healthy subjects. OD was evaluated by the 10-item screening questionnaire EAT-10 and the bedside method V-VST, videofluoroscopy (VFS) being the reference standard. The V-VST is an effort test that uses boluses of different volumes and viscosities to identify clinical signs of impaired efficacy (impaired labial seal, piecemeal deglutition, and residue) and impaired safety of swallow (cough, voice changes, and oxygen desaturation ≥3%). Discriminating ability was assessed by the AUC of the ROC curve and sensitivity and specificity values. Key Results According to VFS, prevalence of OD was 87%, 75.6% with impaired efficacy and 80.9% with impaired safety of swallow including 17.6% aspirations. The EAT-10 showed a ROC AUC of 0.89 for OD with an optimal cut-off at 2 (0.89 sensitivity and 0.82 specificity). The V-VST showed 0.94 sensitivity and 0.88 specificity for OD, 0.79 sensitivity and 0.75 specificity for impaired efficacy, 0.87 sensitivity and 0.81 specificity for impaired safety, and 0.91 sensitivity and 0.28 specificity for aspirations. Conclusions & Inferences Clinical methods for screening (EAT-10) and assessment (V-VST) of OD offer excellent psychometric proprieties that allow adequate management of OD. Their universal application among at-risk populations will improve the identification of patients with OD at risk for malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia. PMID:24909661

Reimbursed Price of Orphan Drugs: Current Strategies and Potential Improvements.

PubMed

Mincarone, Pierpaolo; Leo, Carlo Giacomo; Sabina, Saverio; Sarriá-Santamera, Antonio; Taruscio, Domenica; Serrano-Aguilar, Pedro Guillermo; Kanavos, Panos

2017-01-01

The pricing and reimbursement policies for pharmaceuticals are relevant to balance timely and equitable access for all patients, financial sustainability, and reward for valuable innovation. The proliferation of high-cost specialty medicines is particularly true in rare diseases (RDs) where the pricing mechanism is characterised by a lack of transparency. This work provides an overall picture of current strategies for the definition of the reimbursed prices of orphan drugs (ODs) and highlights some potential improvements. Current strategies and suggestions are presented along 4 dimensions: (1) comprehensive value assessment, (2) early dialogs among relevant stakeholders, (3) innovative reimbursement approaches, and (4) societal participation in producing ODs. Comprehensive value assessment could be achieved by clarifying the approach of distributive justice to adopt, ensuring a representative participation of stakeholders, and with a broad consideration of value-bearing factors. With respect to early dialogs, cross-border cooperation can be determinant to companies and agencies. The cost-benefit ratio of early dialogs needs to be demonstrated and the "regulatory capture" effect should be monitored. Innovative reimbursement approaches were developed to balance the need for evidence-based decisions with the timely access to innovative drugs. The societal participation in producing ODs needs to be recognised in a collaborating framework where adaptive agreements can be developed with mutual satisfaction. Such agreements could also impact on coverage and reimbursement decisions as additional elements for the determination of a comprehensive societal value of ODs. Further research is needed to investigate the highlighted open challenges so that RDs will not remain, in practical terms, orphan diseases. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Ascorbic acid deficiency stimulates hepatic expression of inflammatory chemokine, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1, in scurvy-prone ODS rats.

PubMed

Horio, Fumihiko; Kiyama, Keiichiro; Kobayashi, Misato; Kawai, Kaori; Tsuda, Takanori

2006-02-01

ODS rat has a hereditary defect in ascorbic acid biosynthesis and is a useful animal model for elucidating the physiological role of ascorbic acid. We previously demonstrated by using ODS rats that ascorbic acid deficiency changes the hepatic gene expression of acute phase proteins, as seen in acute inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effects of ascorbic acid deficiency on the production of inflammatory chemokine, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1), in ODS rats. Male ODS rats (6 wk of age) were fed a basal diet containing ascorbic acid (300 mg/kg diet) or a diet without ascorbic acid for 14 d. Obvious symptoms of scurvy were not observed in the ascorbic acid-deficient rats. Ascorbic acid deficiency significantly elevated the serum concentration of CINC-1 on d 14. The liver and spleen CINC-1 concentrations in the ascorbic acid-deficient rats were significantly elevated to 600% and 180% of the respective values in the control rats. However, the lung concentration of CINC-1 was not affected by ascorbic acid deficiency. Ascorbic acid deficiency significantly elevated the hepatic mRNA level of CINC-1 (to 480% of the value in the control rats), but not the lung mRNA level. These results demonstrate that ascorbic acid deficiency elevates the serum, liver and spleen concentrations of CINC-1 as seen in acute inflammation, and suggest that ascorbic acid deficiency stimulate the hepatic CINC-1 gene expression.

Internal Delorme's Procedure for Treating ODS Associated With Impaired Anal Continence.

PubMed

Liu, Weicheng; Sturiale, Alessandro; Fabiani, Bernardina; Giani, Iacopo; Menconi, Claudia; Naldini, Gabriele

2017-12-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the medium-term outcomes of internal Delorme's procedure for treating obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) patients with impaired anal continence. In a retrospective study, 41 ODS patients who underwent internal Delorme's procedure between 2011 and 2015 were divided into 3 subgroups according to their associated symptoms of impaired continence, as urgency, passive fecal incontinence and both, before study. Then the patients' preoperative statuses, perioperative complications, and postoperative outcomes were investigated and collected from standardized questionnaires, including Altomare ODS score, Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI), Patient Assessment of Constipation-Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAC-QoL), and Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQLS). All results with a 2-tailed P < .05 were considered statistically significant. At an average 2.8 years of follow-up, there were significant improvements ( P < .01) in Altomare ODS score, FISI, PAC-QoL, and FIQLS in all patients when comparing scores from before the operation with those at the final follow-up. Similar results were also observed in both the urgency subgroup and passive fecal incontinence subgroup, but there were no statistically significant improvements ( P > .05) in Altomare ODS score, FISI, PAC-QoL, or FIQLS in the urgency and passive fecal incontinence subgroups. Anorectal manometry showed the mean value of anal resting pressure increased 20%. Additionally, no major complications occurred. Internal Delorme's procedure is effective without major morbidity for treating ODS associated with urgency or passive fecal incontinence, but it may be less effective for treating ODS associated with both urgency and passive fecal incontinence.

The effects of cognitive load during intertrial intervals on judgements of control: The role of working memory and contextual learning.

PubMed

Cavus, H A; Msetfi, Rachel M

2016-11-01

When there is no contingency between actions and outcomes, but outcomes occur frequently, people tend to judge that they have control over those outcomes, a phenomenon known as the outcome density (OD) effect. Recent studies show that the OD effect depends on the duration of the temporal interval between action-outcome conjunctions, with longer intervals inducing stronger effects. However, under some circumstances OD effect is reduced, for example when participants are mildly depressed. We reasoned that working memory (WM) plays an important role in learning of context; with reduced WM capacity to process contextual information during intertrial intervals (ITIs) during contingency learning might lead to reduced OD effects (limited capacity hypothesis). To test this, we used a novel dual-task procedure that increases the WM load during the ITIs of an operant (e.g., action-outcome) contingency learning task to impact contextual learning. We tested our hypotheses in groups of students with zero (Experiments 1, N=34), and positive contingencies (Experiment 2, N=34). The findings indicated that WM load during the ITIs reduced the OD effects compared to no load conditions (Experiment 1 and 2). In Experiment 2, we observed reduced OD effects on action judgements under high load in zero and positive contingencies. However, the participants' judgements were still sensitive to the difference between zero and positive contingencies. We discuss the implications of our findings for the effects of depression and context in contingency learning. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hot-rolling of reduced activation 8CrODS ferritic steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Xiaochao; Ukai, Shigeharu; Leng, Bin; Oono, Naoko; Hayashi, Shigenari; Sakasegawa, Hideo; Tanigawa, Hiroyasu

2013-11-01

The 8CrODS ferritic steel is based on J1-lot developed for the advanced fusion blanket material to increase the coolant outlet temperature. A hot-rolling was conducted at the temperature above Ar3 of 716 °C, and its effect on the microstructure and tensile strength in 8CrODS ferritic steel was evaluated, comparing together with normalized and tempered specimen. It was confirmed that hot-rolling leads to slightly increased fraction of the ferrite and highly improved tensile strength. This ferrite was formed by transformation from the hot-rolled austenite during cooling due to fine austenite grains induced by hot-rolling. The coarsening of the transformed ferrite in hot-rolled specimen can be attributed to the crystalline rotation and coalescence of the similar oriented grains. The improved strength of hot-rolled specimen was ascribed to the high dislocation density and replacement of easily deformed martensite with the transformed coarse ferrite.

Development of accident tolerant FeCrAl-ODS steels utilizing Ce-oxide particles dispersion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shibata, Hiroki; Ukai, Shigeharu; Oono, Naoko H.; Sakamoto, Kan; Hirai, Mutsumi

2018-04-01

FeCrAl-ODS ferritic steels with Ce-oxide dispersion instead of Y-oxide were produced for the accident tolerant fuel cladding of the light water reactor. Excess oxygen (Ex.O) was added to improve the mechanical property. The tensile strength at Ex.O = 0 is around 200 MPa at 700 °C, mainly owing to dispersed Ce2O3 particles in less than 10 nm size. The formation of the fine Ce2O3 particles is dominated by a coherent interface with ferritic matrix. With increasing Ex.O, an increased of number density of coarser Ce-Al type oxide particles over 10 nm size is responsible for the improvement of the tensile strength. Change of the type of oxide particle, CeO2, Ce2O3, CeAlO3, Al2O3, in FeCrAl-ODS steel was thermodynamically analyzed as a parameter of Ex.O.

A rapid analytical method for predicting the oxygen demand of wastewater.

PubMed

Fogelman, Shoshana; Zhao, Huijun; Blumenstein, Michael

2006-11-01

In this study, an investigation was undertaken to determine whether the predictive accuracy of an indirect, multiwavelength spectroscopic technique for rapidly determining oxygen demand (OD) values is affected by the use of unfiltered and turbid samples, as well as by the use of absorbance values measured below 200 nm. The rapid OD technique was developed that uses UV-Vis spectroscopy and artificial neural networks (ANNs) to indirectly determine chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels. It was found that the most accurate results were obtained when a spectral range of 190-350 nm was provided as data input to the ANN, and when using unfiltered samples below a turbidity range of 150 NTU. This is because high correlations of above 0.90 were obtained with the data using the standard COD method. This indicates that samples can be measured directly without the additional need for preprocessing by filtering. Samples with turbidity values higher than 150 NTU were found to produce poor correlations with the standard COD method, which made them unsuitable for accurate, real-time, on-line monitoring of OD levels.

The Influence of the Osmotic Dehydration Process on Physicochemical Properties of Osmotic Solution.

PubMed

Lech, Krzysztof; Michalska, Anna; Wojdyło, Aneta; Nowicka, Paulina; Figiel, Adam

2017-12-16

The osmotic dehydration (OD) process consists of the removal of water from a material during which the solids from the osmotic solution are transported to the material by osmosis. This process is commonly performed in sucrose and salt solutions. Taking into account that a relatively high consumption of those substances might have a negative effect on human health, attempts have been made to search for alternatives that can be used for osmotic dehydration. One of these is an application of chokeberry juice with proven beneficial properties to human health. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical properties of the OD solution (chokeberry juice concentrate) before and after the osmotic dehydration of carrot and zucchini. The total polyphenolics content, antioxidant capacity (ABTS, FRAP), dynamic viscosity, density, and water activity were examined in relation to the juice concentration used for the osmotic solution before and after the OD process. During the osmotic dehydration process, the concentration of the chokeberry juice decreased. Compounds with lower molecular weight and lower antioxidant capacity present in concentrated chokeberry juice had a stronger influence on the exchange of compounds during the OD process in carrot and zucchini. The water activity of the osmotic solution increased after the osmotic dehydration process. It was concluded that the osmotic solution after the OD process might be successfully re-used as a product with high quality for i.e. juice production.

Long-term persistence of anti-hantavirus antibodies in sera of patients undergoing hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and subjects vaccinated against the disease.

PubMed

Zheng, Yuan; Wei, Jing; Zhou, Bu-Yu; Xu, Yi; Dong, Jian-Hua; Guan, Lu-Yuan; Ma, Ping; Yu, Peng-Bo; Wang, Jing-Jun

2016-04-01

Background China has the highest prevalence of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and accounts for 90% of the total cases worldwide. However, the long-term persistence of anti-hantavirus antibodies in sera of patients with HFRS and subjects vaccinated against the disease remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of anti-hantavirus IgG antibodies in sera of patients with prior HFRS, versus subjects vaccinated against the disease and controls in Shaanxi, China. Methods Six hundred individuals were included in this study. We quantified anti-hantavirus IgG antibodies in HFRS patients (n = 100), vaccinees (n = 200), controls from endemic regions (n = 200), and controls from non-endemic regions (n = 100) in China. Results The median optical density (OD) values (range) were 0.803 (0.008-1.813), 0.075 (0.004-1.565), 0.026 (0-1.179), and 0.015 (0.009-0.118) for HFRS patients, vaccinated subjects, endemic controls, and non-endemic controls, respectively. There was a strikingly significant difference between the HFRS group and each non-HFRS group (p < 0.001). The vaccinated subjects were also significantly different from the endemic controls. The time since the acute phase was correlated with the OD values of the HFRS patients. Conclusions Our study suggests that HFRS patients gain long-lasting protection and that vaccination may be an effective way to stimulate antibody production.

Heat Transfer at a Long Electrically-Simulated Water Wall in a Circulating Fluidised Bed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sundaresan, R.; Kolar, Ajit Kumar

In the present work, heat transfer measurements are reported in a 100mm square, 5.5 m tall, cold CFB. The test section is a 19 mm OD electrically heated heat transfer tube, 4.64 m tall (covering more than 80% of the CFB height), sandwiched between two equally tall dummy tubes of 19mm OD, thus simulating a water wall geometry, forming one wall of the CFB. Narrow cut sand particles of mean diameters 156, 256, and 362 micrometers, and a wide cut sample of mean diameter 265 micrometer were used as the bed material. The superficial gas velocity ranged from 4.2 to 8.2 m/s, and the solids recycle flux varied from 17 to 110 kg/m2s. Local heat transfer coefficient at the simulated water wall varies, as expected from a low value at the top of the riser to a high value at the bottom, with an interesting increasing and decreasing trend in between. The average heat transfer coefficients were compared with those available in open literature. Correlations for average heat transfer coefficient are presented, both in terms of an average suspension density and also in terms of important nondimensional numbers, namely, Froude number, relative solids flux and velocity ratio. Comparisons are also made with predictions of relevant heat transfer models. Based on the present fifty-five experimental data points, the following correlation was presented with a correlation coefficient of 0.862 and maximum error is ± 15 %.

Dried venous blood samples for the detection and quantification of measles IgG using a commercial enzyme immunoassay.

PubMed Central

Riddell, Michaela A.; Byrnes, Graham B.; Leydon, Jennie A.; Kelly, Heath A.

2003-01-01

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether samples of dried venous blood (DVB) were an acceptable alternative to serum for detecting measles-specific IgG in a commercial enzyme immunoassay. METHODS: Paired samples of serum and DVB were collected from 98 suspected cases of measles and 1153 schoolchildren in Victoria, Australia. All samples were tested using the Dade Behring Enzygnost Anti-Measles-Virus/IgG immunoassay. DVB samples were eluted using either the sample buffer provided with the kit or 5% dry milk powder in phosphate-buffered saline-Tween 20. FINDINGS: DVB samples eluted by sample buffer showed significantly better linear correlation to the serum samples than did DVB samples eluted in 5% dry milk in phosphate-buffered saline-Tween 20. To improve the comparability of serum and DVB samples an adjustment factor of 1.28 was applied to the optical density (OD) values of DVB. This adjustment also enabled quantification of the titre of measles IgG in mIU/ml directly from the OD value using the alpha calculation as specified by the kit protocol. For DVB samples stored for less than six months at 4 degrees C, the assay showed an overall sensitivity of 98.4% and a specificity of 97.2% compared with the results of serum testing. CONCLUSION: These results illustrate the potential for DVB samples to be widely used with the Dade Behring enzyme immunoassay system for determining the immunity of the individual and the population to the measles virus. PMID:14758429

Line profile analysis of ODS steels Fe20Cr5AlTiY milled powders at different Y2O3 concentrations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Afandi, A.; Nisa, R.; Thosin, K. A. Z.

2017-04-01

Mechanical properties of material are largely dictated by constituent microstructure parameters such as dislocation density, lattice microstrain, crystallite size and its distribution. To develop ultra-fine grain alloys such as Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) alloys, mechanical alloying is crucial step to introduce crystal defects, and refining the crystallite size. In this research the ODS sample powders were mechanically alloyed with different Y2O3 concentration respectively of 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 wt%. MA process was conducted with High Energy Milling (HEM) with the ball to powder ratio of 15:1. The vial and the ball were made of alumina, and the milling condition is set 200 r.p.m constant. The ODS powders were investigated by X-Ray Diffractions (XRD), Bragg-Brentano setup of SmartLab Rigaku with 40 KV, and 30 mA, step size using 0.02°, with scanning speed of 4°min-1. Line Profile Analysis (LPA) of classical Williamson-Hall was carried out, with the aim to investigate the different crystallite size, and microstrain due to the selection of the full wide at half maximum (FWHM) and integral breadth.

Consideration of the oxide particle-dislocation interaction in 9Cr-ODS steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ijiri, Yuta; Oono, N.; Ukai, S.; Yu, Hao; Ohtsuka, S.; Abe, Y.; Matsukawa, Y.

2017-05-01

The interaction between oxide particles and dislocations in a 9Cr-ODS ferritic steel is investigated by both static and in situ TEM observation under dynamic straining conditions and room temperature. The measured obstacle strength (?) of the oxide particles was no greater than 0.80 and the average was 0.63. The dislocation loops around some coarsened particles were also observed. The calculated obstacle strength by a stress formula of the Orowan interaction is nearly equaled to the average experimental value. Not only cross-slip system but also the Orowan interaction should be considered as the main interaction mechanism between oxide particles and dislocation in 9CrODS ferritic steel.

Surface modification and deuterium retention in reduced-activation steels under low-energy deuterium plasma exposure. Part I: undamaged steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ogorodnikova, O. V.; Zhou, Z.; Sugiyama, K.; Balden, M.; Gasparyan, Yu.; Efimov, V.

2017-03-01

In this paper, reduced-activation ferritic/martensitic (RAFM) steels including Eurofer (9Cr) and oxide dispersion strengthening (ODS) steels by the addition of Y2O3 particles with different amounts of Cr, namely, (9-16)Cr were exposed to low energy deuterium (D) plasma (~20-200 eV per D) up to a fluence of 2.9  ×  1025 D m-2 in the temperature range from 290 K to 700 K. The depth profile of D in steels was measured up to 8 µm depth by nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) and the total retained amount of D in those materials was determined by thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). It was found that the D retention in ODS steels is higher compared to Eurofer due to the much higher density of fine dispersoids and finer grain size. This work shows that in addition to the sintering temperature and time, the type, size and concentration of the doping particles have an enormous effect on the increase in the D retention. The D retention in undamaged ODS steels strongly depends on the Cr content: ODS with 12Cr has a minimum and the D retention in the case of ODS with (14-16)Cr is higher compared to (9-12)Cr. The replacing of Ti by Al in ODS-14Cr steels reduces the D retention. The formation of nano-structure surface roughness enriched in W or Ta due to combination of preferential sputtering of light elements and radiation-induced segregation was observed at incident D ion energy of 200 eV for both Eurofer and ODS steels. Both the surface roughness and the eroded layer enhance with increasing the temperature. The surface modifications result in a reduction of the D retention near the surface due to increasing the desorption flux and can reduce the overall D retention.

Fabrication, characterization, and irradiation of an austenitic oxide dispersion strengthened steel suited for next generation nuclear applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brooks, Adam J.

As nuclear energy systems become more advanced, the materials encompassing them need to perform at higher temperatures for longer periods of time. In this Master's thesis we experiment with an oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) austenitic steel that has been recently developed. ODS materials have a small concentration of nano oxide particles dispersed in their matrix, and typically have higher strength and better extreme temperature creep resistance characteristics than ordinary steels. However, no ODS materials have ever been installed in a commercial power reactor to date. Being a newer research material, there are many unanswered phenomena that need to be addressed regarding the performance under irradiation. Furthermore, due to the ODS material traditionally needing to follow a powder metallurgy fabrication route, there are many processing parameters that need to be optimized before achieving a nuclear grade material specification. In this Master's thesis we explore the development of a novel ODS processing technology conducted in Beijing, China, to produce solutionized bulk ODS samples with 97% theoretical density. This is done using relatively low temperatures and ultra high pressure (UHP) equipment, to compact the mechanically alloyed (MA) steel powder into bulk samples without any thermal phase change influence or oxide precipitation. By having solutionized bulk ODS samples, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation of nano oxide precipitation within the steel material can be studied by applying post heat treatments. These types of samples will be very useful to the science and engineering community, to answer questions regarding material powder compacting, oxide synthesis, and performance. Subsequent analysis performed at Queen's University included X-ray diffraction (XRD) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Additional TEM in-situ 1MeV Kr2+ irradiation experiments coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) techniques, were also performed on large (200nm+) non-stoichiometric oxides embedded within the austenite steel grains, in an attempt to quantify the elemental compositional changes during high temperature (520°C) heavy ion irradiation.

Selective bond breaking mediated by state specific vibrational excitation in model HOD molecule through optimized femtosecond IR pulse: a simulated annealing based approach.

PubMed

Shandilya, Bhavesh K; Sen, Shrabani; Sahoo, Tapas; Talukder, Srijeeta; Chaudhury, Pinaki; Adhikari, Satrajit

2013-07-21

The selective control of O-H/O-D bond dissociation in reduced dimensionality model of HOD molecule has been explored through IR+UV femtosecond pulses. The IR pulse has been optimized using simulated annealing stochastic approach to maximize population of a desired low quanta vibrational state. Since those vibrational wavefunctions of the ground electronic states are preferentially localized either along the O-H or O-D mode, the femtosecond UV pulse is used only to transfer vibrationally excited molecule to the repulsive upper surface to cleave specific bond, O-H or O-D. While transferring from the ground electronic state to the repulsive one, the optimization of the UV pulse is not necessarily required except specific case. The results so obtained are analyzed with respect to time integrated flux along with contours of time evolution of probability density on excited potential energy surface. After preferential excitation from [line]0, 0> ([line]m, n> stands for the state having m and n quanta of excitations in O-H and O-D mode, respectively) vibrational level of the ground electronic state to its specific low quanta vibrational state ([line]1, 0> or [line]0, 1> or [line]2, 0> or [line]0, 2>) by using optimized IR pulse, the dissociation of O-D or O-H bond through the excited potential energy surface by UV laser pulse appears quite high namely, 88% (O-H ; [line]1, 0>) or 58% (O-D ; [line]0, 1>) or 85% (O-H ; [line]2, 0>) or 59% (O-D ; [line]0, 2>). Such selectivity of the bond breaking by UV pulse (if required, optimized) together with optimized IR one is encouraging compared to the normal pulses.

Decline of antibody response in indirect ELISA tests during the periparturient period caused diagnostic gaps in Coxiella burnetii and BVDV serology in pluriparous cows within a Holstein dairy herd.

PubMed

Walraph, J; Zoche-Golob, V; Weber, J; Freick, M

2018-06-01

In cattle, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests are commonly used in serological routine diagnostics. In a longitudinal study design, changes in relative optical density (OD) from drying-off until week 11 after calving were analyzed in blood and milk samples from pluriparous dairy cows (n=21) using a commercial indirect anti-C. burnetii ELISA test. In a second part of this study, changes over time were evaluated in blood and milk samples of 11 of these cows in an indirect ELISA detecting anti-Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) antibodies. Regarding the cows which were still in the herd at the time of calving, blood serological qualitative changes from positive to negative or indeterminate were demonstrated in 7/20 cows (35%) for the anti-C. burnetii indirect ELISA and in 2/10 cows (20%) for the anti-BVDV indirect ELISA, respectively, during the period from 14days ante partum to calving. Relative OD in the anti-C. burnetii and the anti-BVDV indirect ELISA tests followed basically similar courses over time. In blood serum, relative OD initially increased after drying-off, before a drop around calving was observed. After the colostrum period, relative OD in blood serum showed an increase until week 11 of lactation. In colostrum samples, relative OD levels were higher than in milk samples obtained one day before drying-off. After parturition, relative OD in milk decreased until week 6 of lactation in the anti-C. burnetii indirect ELISA and until week 11 in the anti-BVDV indirect ELISA, respectively. In conclusion, blood serological investigations in periparturient dairy cows using indirect ELISA kits should be avoided. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Offdiagonal complexity: A computationally quick complexity measure for graphs and networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Claussen, Jens Christian

2007-02-01

A vast variety of biological, social, and economical networks shows topologies drastically differing from random graphs; yet the quantitative characterization remains unsatisfactory from a conceptual point of view. Motivated from the discussion of small scale-free networks, a biased link distribution entropy is defined, which takes an extremum for a power-law distribution. This approach is extended to the node-node link cross-distribution, whose nondiagonal elements characterize the graph structure beyond link distribution, cluster coefficient and average path length. From here a simple (and computationally cheap) complexity measure can be defined. This offdiagonal complexity (OdC) is proposed as a novel measure to characterize the complexity of an undirected graph, or network. While both for regular lattices and fully connected networks OdC is zero, it takes a moderately low value for a random graph and shows high values for apparently complex structures as scale-free networks and hierarchical trees. The OdC approach is applied to the Helicobacter pylori protein interaction network and randomly rewired surrogates.

The origin of the flatbed scanner artifacts in radiochromic film dosimetry—key experiments and theoretical descriptions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schoenfeld, Andreas A.; Wieker, Soeren; Harder, Dietrich; Poppe, Bjoern

2016-11-01

The optical origin of the lateral response and orientation artifacts, which occur when using EBT3 and EBT-XD radiochromic films together with flatbed scanners, has been reinvestigated by experimental and theoretical means. The common feature of these artifacts is the well-known parabolic increase in the optical density OD(x)  =  -log10 I(x)/I 0(x) versus offset x from the scanner midline (Poppinga et al 2014 Med. Phys. 41 021707). This holds for landscape and portrait orientations as well as for the three color channels. Dose-independent optical subjects, such as neutral density filters, linear polarizers, the EBT polyester foil and diffusive glass, also present the parabolic lateral artifact when scanned with a flatbed scanner. The curvature parameter c of the parabola function OD(x)  =  c 0  +  cx 2 is found to be a linear function of the dose, the parameters of which are influenced by the film orientation and film type, EBT3 or EBT-XD. The ubiquitous parabolic shape of function OD(x) is attributed (a) to the optical path-length effect (van Battum et al 2016 Phys. Med. Biol. 61 625-49), due to the increasing obliquity of the optical scanner light associated with increasing offset x from the scanner midline, and (b) and (c) to the partial polarization and scattering of the light leaving the film, which affect the ratio ~I(x)/{{I}0}(x) , thus making OD(x) increase with x 2. The orientation effect results from the changes of effects (b) and (c) associated with turning the film position, and thereby the orientation of the polymer structure of the sensitive film layer. In a comparison of experimental results obtained with selected optical subjects, the relative weights of the contributions of the optical path-length effect and the polarization and scattering of light leaving the films to the lateral response artifact have been estimated to be of the same order of magnitude. Mathematical models of these causes for the parabolic shape of function OD(x) are given as appendices.

The origin of the flatbed scanner artifacts in radiochromic film dosimetry-key experiments and theoretical descriptions.

PubMed

Schoenfeld, Andreas A; Wieker, Soeren; Harder, Dietrich; Poppe, Bjoern

2016-11-07

The optical origin of the lateral response and orientation artifacts, which occur when using EBT3 and EBT-XD radiochromic films together with flatbed scanners, has been reinvestigated by experimental and theoretical means. The common feature of these artifacts is the well-known parabolic increase in the optical density OD(x)  =  -log 10 I(x)/I 0 (x) versus offset x from the scanner midline (Poppinga et al 2014 Med. Phys. 41 021707). This holds for landscape and portrait orientations as well as for the three color channels. Dose-independent optical subjects, such as neutral density filters, linear polarizers, the EBT polyester foil and diffusive glass, also present the parabolic lateral artifact when scanned with a flatbed scanner. The curvature parameter c of the parabola function OD(x)  =  c 0   +  cx 2 is found to be a linear function of the dose, the parameters of which are influenced by the film orientation and film type, EBT3 or EBT-XD. The ubiquitous parabolic shape of function OD(x) is attributed (a) to the optical path-length effect (van Battum et al 2016 Phys. Med. Biol. 61 625-49), due to the increasing obliquity of the optical scanner light associated with increasing offset x from the scanner midline, and (b) and (c) to the partial polarization and scattering of the light leaving the film, which affect the ratio [Formula: see text], thus making OD(x) increase with x 2 . The orientation effect results from the changes of effects (b) and (c) associated with turning the film position, and thereby the orientation of the polymer structure of the sensitive film layer. In a comparison of experimental results obtained with selected optical subjects, the relative weights of the contributions of the optical path-length effect and the polarization and scattering of light leaving the films to the lateral response artifact have been estimated to be of the same order of magnitude. Mathematical models of these causes for the parabolic shape of function OD(x) are given as appendices.

The use of the oesophageal Doppler in perioperative medicine: new opportunities in research and clinical practice.

PubMed

Pinto, Bernardo Bollen; Atlas, Glen; Geerts, Bart F; Bendjelid, Karim

2017-10-01

The oesophageal Doppler (OD) is a minimally invasive haemodynamic monitor used in the surgical theatre and the ICU. Using the OD, goal-directed therapy (GDT) has been shown to reduce perioperative complications in high-risk surgical patients. However, most GDT protocols currently in use are limited to stroke volume optimisation. In the present manuscript, we examine the conceptual models behind new OD-based measurements. These would provide the clinician with a comprehensive view of haemodynamic pathophysiology; including pre-load, contractility, and afterload. Specifically, volume status could be estimated using mean systemic filling pressure (MSFP), the pressure to which all intravascular pressures equilibrate during asystole. Using the OD, MSFP could be readily estimated by simultaneous measurements of aortic blood flow and arterial pressure with sequential manoeuvres of increasing airway pressure. This would result in subsequent reductions in cardiac output and arterial pressure and would allow for a linear extrapolation of a static MSFP value to a "zero flow" state. In addition, we also demonstrate that EF is proportional to mean blood flow velocity measured in the descending thoracic aorta with the OD. Furthermore, OD-derived indexes of blood flow velocity and acceleration, as well as force and kinetic energy, can be derived and used for continuous assessment of cardiac contractility at the bedside. Using OD-derived parameters, the different components of afterload: inertia, resistance and elastance, could also be individually determined. The integration of these additional haemodynamic parameters could assist the clinician in optimising and individualising haemodynamic performance in unstable patients.

Simultaneous spectral and temporal analyses of kinetic energies in nonequilibrium systems: theory and application to vibrational relaxation of O-D stretch mode of HOD in water.

PubMed

Jeon, Jonggu; Lim, Joon Hyung; Kim, Seongheun; Kim, Heejae; Cho, Minhaeng

2015-05-28

A time series of kinetic energies (KE) from classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulation contains fundamental information on system dynamics. It can also be analyzed in the frequency domain through Fourier transformation (FT) of velocity correlation functions, providing energy content of different spectral regions. By limiting the FT time span, we have previously shown that spectral resolution of KE evolution is possible in the nonequilibrium situations [Jeon and Cho, J. Chem. Phys. 2011, 135, 214504]. In this paper, we refine the method by employing the concept of instantaneous power spectra, extending it to reflect an instantaneous time-correlation of velocities with those in the future as well as with those in the past, and present a new method to obtain the instantaneous spectral density of KE (iKESD). This approach enables the simultaneous spectral and temporal resolution of KE with unlimited time precision. We discuss the formal and novel properties of the new iKESD approaches and how to optimize computational methods and determine parameters for practical applications. The method is specifically applied to the nonequilibrium MD simulation of vibrational relaxation of the OD stretch mode in a hydrated HOD molecule by employing a hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) potential. We directly compare the computational results with the OD band population relaxation time profiles extracted from the IR pump-probe measurements for 5% HOD in water. The calculated iKESD yields the OD bond relaxation time scale ∼30% larger than the experimental value, and this decay is largely frequency-independent if the classical anharmonicity is accounted for. From the integrated iKESD over intra- and intermolecular bands, the major energy transfer pathways were found to involve the HOD bending mode in the subps range, then the internal modes of the solvent until 5 ps after excitation, and eventually the solvent intermolecular modes. Also, strong hydrogen-bonding of HOD is found to significantly hinder the initial intramolecular energy transfer process.

Enhanced Radiation-tolerant Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Steel and its Microstructure Evolution under Helium-implantation and Heavy-ion Irradiation

PubMed Central

Lu, Chenyang; Lu, Zheng; Wang, Xu; Xie, Rui; Li, Zhengyuan; Higgins, Michael; Liu, Chunming; Gao, Fei; Wang, Lumin

2017-01-01

The world eagerly needs cleanly-generated electricity in the future. Fusion reactor is one of the most ideal energy resources to defeat the environmental degradation caused by the consumption of traditional fossil energy. To meet the design requirements of fusion reactor, the development of the structural materials which can sustain the elevated temperature, high helium concentration and extreme radiation environments is the biggest challenge for the entire material society. Oxide dispersion strengthened steel is one of the most popular candidate materials for the first wall/blanket applications in fusion reactor. In this paper, we evaluate the radiation tolerance of a 9Cr ODS steel developed in China. Compared with Ferritic/Martensitic steel, this ODS steel demonstrated a significantly higher swelling resistance under ion irradiation at 460 °C to 188 displacements per atom. The role of oxides and grain boundaries on void swelling has been explored. The results indicated that the distribution of higher density and finer size of nano oxides will lead a better swelling resistance for ODS alloy. The original pyrochlore-structured Y2Ti2O7 particles dissolved gradually while fine Y-Ti-O nano clusters reprecipitated in the matrix during irradiation. The enhanced radiation tolerance is attributed to the reduced oxide size and the increased oxide density. PMID:28079191

Development of theoretical oxygen saturation calibration curve based on optical density ratio and optical simulation approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jumadi, Nur Anida; Beng, Gan Kok; Ali, Mohd Alauddin Mohd; Zahedi, Edmond; Morsin, Marlia

2017-09-01

The implementation of surface-based Monte Carlo simulation technique for oxygen saturation (SaO2) calibration curve estimation is demonstrated in this paper. Generally, the calibration curve is estimated either from the empirical study using animals as the subject of experiment or is derived from mathematical equations. However, the determination of calibration curve using animal is time consuming and requires expertise to conduct the experiment. Alternatively, an optical simulation technique has been used widely in the biomedical optics field due to its capability to exhibit the real tissue behavior. The mathematical relationship between optical density (OD) and optical density ratios (ODR) associated with SaO2 during systole and diastole is used as the basis of obtaining the theoretical calibration curve. The optical properties correspond to systolic and diastolic behaviors were applied to the tissue model to mimic the optical properties of the tissues. Based on the absorbed ray flux at detectors, the OD and ODR were successfully calculated. The simulation results of optical density ratio occurred at every 20 % interval of SaO2 is presented with maximum error of 2.17 % when comparing it with previous numerical simulation technique (MC model). The findings reveal the potential of the proposed method to be used for extended calibration curve study using other wavelength pair.

Neonatal exposure to monosodium glutamate induces morphological alterations in suprachiasmatic nucleus of adult rat.

PubMed

Rojas-Castañeda, Julio César; Vigueras-Villaseñor, Rosa María; Chávez-Saldaña, Margarita; Rojas, Patricia; Gutiérrez-Pérez, Oscar; Rojas, Carolina; Arteaga-Silva, Marcela

2016-02-01

Neonatal exposure to monosodium glutamate (MSG) induces circadian disorders in several physiological and behavioural processes regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of neonatal exposure to MSG on locomotor activity, and on morphology, cellular density and expression of proteins, as evaluated by optical density (OD), of vasopressin (VP)-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)- and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactive cells in the SCN. Male Wistar rats were used: the MSG group was subcutaneously treated from 3 to 10 days of age with 3.5 mg/g/day. Locomotor activity was evaluated at 90 days of age using 'open-field' test, and the brains were processed for immunohistochemical studies. MSG exposure induced a significant decrease in locomotor activity. VP- and VIP-immunoreactive neuronal densities showed a significant decrease, while the somatic OD showed an increase. Major axes and somatic area were significantly increased in VIP neurons. The cellular and optical densities of GFAP-immunoreactive sections of SCN were significantly increased. These results demonstrated that newborn exposure to MSG induced morphological alterations in SCN cells, an alteration that could be the basis for behavioural disorders observed in the animals. © 2016 The Authors. International Journal of Experimental Pathology © 2016 International Journal of Experimental Pathology.

Two distinct pathways mediate the formation of intermediate density cells and hyperdense cells from normal density sickle red blood cells.

PubMed

Schwartz, R S; Musto, S; Fabry, M E; Nagel, R L

1998-12-15

In sickle cell anemia (SS), some red blood cells dehydrate, forming a hyperdense (HD) cell fraction (>1.114 g/mL; mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration [MCHC], >46 g/dL) that contains many irreversibly sickled cells (ISCs), whereas other SS red blood cells dehydrate to an intermediate density (ID; 1.090 to 1.114 g/mL; MCHC, 36 to 46 g/dL). This study asks if the potassium-chloride cotransporter (K:Cl) and the calcium-dependent potassium channel [K(Ca2+)] are participants in the formation of one or both types of dense SS red blood cells. We induced sickling by exposing normal density (ND; 1.080 to 1.090 g/mL; MCHC, 32 to 36 g/dL) SS discocytes to repetitive oxygenation-deoxygenation (O-D) cycles in vitro. At physiologic Na+, K+, and Cl-, and 0.5 to 2 mmol/L Ca2+, the appearance of dense cells was time- and pH-dependent. O-D cycling at pH 7.4 in 5% CO2-equilibrated buffer generated only ID cells, whereas O-D cycling at pH 6.8 in 5% CO2-equilibrated buffer generated both ID and HD cells, the latter taking more than 8 hours to form. At 22 hours, 35% +/- 17% of the parent ND cells were recovered in the ID fraction and 18% +/- 11% in the HD fraction. Continuous deoxygenation (N2/5% CO2) at pH 6.8 generated both ID and HD cells, but many of these cells had multiple projections, clearly different from the morphology of endogenous dense cells and ISCs. Continuous oxygenation (air/5% CO2) at pH 6.8 resulted in less than 10% dense cell (ID + HD) formation. ATP depletion substantially increased HD cell formation and moderately decreased ID cell formation. HD cells formed after 22 hours of O-D cycling at pH 6.8 contained fewer F cells than did ID cells, suggesting that HD cell formation is particularly dependent on HbS polymerization. EGTA chelation of buffer Ca2+ inhibited HD but not ID cell formation, and increasing buffer Ca2+ from 0.5 to 2 mmol/L promoted HD but not ID cell formation in some SS patients. Substitution of nitrate for Cl- inhibited ID cell formation, as did inhibitors of the K:Cl cotransporter, okadaic acid, and [(dihydroindenyl) oxy]alkanoic acid (DIOA). Conversely, inhibitors of K(Ca2+), charybdotoxin and clotrimazole, inhibited HD cell formation. The combined use of K(Ca2+) and K:Cl inhibitors nearly eliminated dense cell (ID + HD cell) formation. In summary, dense cells formed by O-D cycling for 22 hours at pH 7.4 cycling are predominately the ID type, whereas dense cells formed by O-D cycling for 22 hours at pH 6.8 are both the ID and HD type, with the latter low in HbF, suggesting that HD cell formation has a greater dependency on HbS polymerization. A combination of K:Cl cotransport and the K(Ca2+) activities account for the majority of dense cells formed, and these pathways can be driven independently. We propose a model in which reversible sickling-induced K+ loss by K:Cl primarily generates ID cells and K+ loss by the K(Ca2+) channel primarily generates HD cells. These results imply that both pathways must be inhibited to completely prevent dense SS cell formation and have potential therapeutic implications.

Study on the coloration response of a radiochromic film to MeV cluster ion beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuri, Yosuke; Narumi, Kazumasa; Chiba, Atsuya; Hirano, Yoshimi; Saitoh, Yuichi

2017-11-01

A radiochromic film, Gafchromic HD-V2, is applied to a possible method of measuring a two-dimensional (2D) spatial profile of MeV cluster ion beams. The coloration responses of the HD-V2 film to MeV carbon and gold cluster ion beams are experimentally investigated since some cluster effect may appear. The degree of the film coloration is quantified as a change in optical density (OD) by reading the films with an image scanner for high-resolution measurement of the 2D beam profile. The OD response of HD-V2 is characterized as a function of the ion and atom fluence for comparison. The dependences of the OD response on the cluster size, kinetic energy, and ion species are discussed. It is found that the sensitivity of the OD change is reduced when the cluster size is large. The beam profile of MeV cluster ion beams delivered from the tandem accelerator in TIARA is characterized from the measurement result using HD-V2 films. The present results show that the use of the Gafchromic HD-V2 film is suitable for the detail beam profile measurement of MeV cluster ions, especially C60 ions, whose available intensity is rather low in comparison with that of monatomic ion beams.

Cleaning with a wet sterile gauze significantly reduces contamination of sutures, instruments, and surgical gloves in an ex-vivo pelvic flexure enterotomy model in horses.

PubMed

Giusto, Gessica; Tramuta, Clara; Caramello, Vittorio; Comino, Francesco; Nebbia, Patrizia; Robino, Patrizia; Singer, Ellen; Grego, Elena; Gandini, Marco

2017-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate whether cleaning surgical materials used to close pelvic flexure enterotomies with a wet sterile gauze will reduce contamination and whether the use of a full thickness appositional suture pattern (F) or a partial thickness inverting (or Cushing) suture pattern (C) would make a difference in the level of contamination. Large colon specimens were assigned to group F or C and divided into subgroups N and G. In group G, a wet sterile gauze was passed over the suture material, another over the instruments, and another over the gloves. In group N, no treatment was applied. The bacterial concentration was measured by optical density (OD) at 24 h. The OD of subgroup CG was lower than that of subgroup CN ( P = 0.019). The OD of subgroup FG was lower than that of subgroup FN ( P = 0.02). The OD of subgroups CG, CN, FG, and FN was lower than that of the negative control ( P < 0.003, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.00). The use of a sterile wet gauze significantly reduced contamination of suture materials. A partial thickness inverting suture pattern did not produce less contamination than a full thickness appositional suture pattern.

Effect of processor temperature on film dosimetry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Srivastava, Shiv P.; Das, Indra J., E-mail: idas@iupui.edu

2012-07-01

Optical density (OD) of a radiographic film plays an important role in radiation dosimetry, which depends on various parameters, including beam energy, depth, field size, film batch, dose, dose rate, air film interface, postexposure processing time, and temperature of the processor. Most of these parameters have been studied for Kodak XV and extended dose range (EDR) films used in radiation oncology. There is very limited information on processor temperature, which is investigated in this study. Multiple XV and EDR films were exposed in the reference condition (d{sub max.}, 10 Multiplication-Sign 10 cm{sup 2}, 100 cm) to a given dose. Anmore » automatic film processor (X-Omat 5000) was used for processing films. The temperature of the processor was adjusted manually with increasing temperature. At each temperature, a set of films was processed to evaluate OD at a given dose. For both films, OD is a linear function of processor temperature in the range of 29.4-40.6 Degree-Sign C (85-105 Degree-Sign F) for various dose ranges. The changes in processor temperature are directly related to the dose by a quadratic function. A simple linear equation is provided for the changes in OD vs. processor temperature, which could be used for correcting dose in radiation dosimetry when film is used.« less

A polymerase chain reaction enzyme immunoassay for diagnosing infection caused by Aspergillus fumigatus.

PubMed Central

Golbang, N; Burnie, J P; Matthews, R C

1999-01-01

AIM: To develop a polymerase chain reaction enzyme immunoassay (PCR-EIA) to measure levels of circulating aspergillus DNA in invasive aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. METHODS: The PCR reaction was based on primers from the 18s rRNA gene. Binding of the product to a streptavidin coated microtitration plate was mediated by a biotinylated capture probe. The product was digoxigenylated during PCR and this was the tag to which antibody was bound in the subsequent EIA. RESULTS: The optical density (OD) endpoint was < 0.1 in 10 sera from neutropenic patients with no evidence of invasive aspergillosis, and in 10 sera from nonneutropenic patients with bacterial pneumonia (group 1). The OD from five of 12 patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) (group 2), three with an aspergilloma (group 3), and five with possible invasive aspergillosis (group 4) was > or = 0.1. In 63 sera from 33 cases of proven invasive aspergillosis (group 5) an OD > or = 0.1 was achieved in 48 sera from 30 patients. The maximum OD was 0.510. The level fell in survivors and gradually rose in fatal cases. CONCLUSIONS: This assay validated the concept of diagnosing invasive aspergillosis by measuring levels of circulating fungal DNA in serum. PMID:10562808

Ultrasonographic patterns in patients with obstructed defaecation.

PubMed

Brusciano, L; Limongelli, P; Pescatori, M; Napolitano, V; Gagliardi, G; Maffettone, V; Rossetti, G; del Genio, G; Russo, G; Pizza, F; del Genio, A

2007-08-01

Anal ultrasound is helpful in assessing organic anorectal lesions, but its role in functional disease is still questionable. The purpose of the present study is to assess anal-vaginal-dynamic perineal ultrasonographic findings in patients with obstructed defecation (OD) and healthy controls. Ninety-two consecutive patients (77 women; mean age 51 years; range 21-71) with symptoms of OD were retrospectively evaluated. All patients underwent digital exploration, endoanal and endovaginal ultrasound (US) with rotating probe. Forty-one patients underwent dynamic perineal US with linear probe. Anal manometry and defaecography were performed in 73 and 43 patients, respectively. Ultrasonographic findings of 92 patients with symptoms of OD were compared to 22 healthy controls. Anismus was defined on US when the difference in millimetres between the distance of the inner edge of the puborectalis muscle posteriorly and the probe at rest and on straining was less then 5 mm. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated by assuming defaecography as the gold standard for intussusception and rectocele and proctoscopy for rectal internal mucosal prolapse. Since no gold standard for the diagnosis of anismus was available in the literature, the agreement between anal US and all other diagnostic procedures was evaluated. The incidence of anismus resulted significantly higher (P < 0.05) in OD patients than healthy controls on anal (48 vs 22%), vaginal (44 vs 21%), and dynamic perineal US (53 vs 22%). A significantly higher incidence of rectal internal mucosal prolapse was observed in OD patients when compared to healthy controls on both anal (61.9 vs 13.6%, P < 0.0001) and dynamic perineal US (51.2 vs.9% P = 0.001). For the diagnosis of rectal internal mucosal prolapse, anal US had a 100% sensitivity and specificity. For diagnosis of rectal intussusception, anal US had an 83.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity and perineal US had a 66.6% sensitivity and 100% specificity. In the diagnosis of anismus, anal ultrasonography resulted in agreement with perineal and vaginal US, manometry, defaecography, and digital exam (P < 0.05). Other lesions detected by US in patients with OD include solitary rectal ulcer, rectocele and enterocele. Damage of internal and/or external sphincter was diagnosed at anal US in 19/92 (20%) patients, all continent and with normal manometric values. Anal, vaginal and dynamic perineal ultrasonography can diagnose or confirm many of the abnormalities seen in patients with OD. The value of the information obtained by this non-invasive test and its role in the diagnostic algorithm of OD is yet to be defined.

Plasma surface modification of rigid contact lenses decreases bacterial adhesion.

PubMed

Wang, Yingming; Qian, Xuefeng; Zhang, Xiaofeng; Xia, Wei; Zhong, Lei; Sun, Zhengtai; Xia, Jing

2013-11-01

Contact lens safety is an important topic in clinical studies. Corneal infections usually occur because of the use of bacteria-carrying contact lenses. The current study investigated the impact of plasma surface modification on bacterial adherence to rigid contact lenses made of fluorosilicone acrylate materials. Boston XO and XO2 contact lenses were modified using plasma technology (XO-P and XO2-P groups). Untreated lenses were used as controls. Plasma-treated and control lenses were incubated in solutions containing Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. MTT colorimetry, colony-forming unit counting method, and scanning electron microscopy were used to measure bacterial adhesion. MTT colorimetry measurements showed that the optical density (OD) values of XO-P and XO2-P were significantly lower than those of XO and XO2, respectively, after incubation with S. aureus (P < 0.01). The OD value of XO-P was also much lower than that of XO after incubation with P. aeruginosa (P < 0.01). Colony-forming unit counting revealed that a significantly lower number of bacterial colonies attached to the XO-P versus XO lenses and to the XO2-P versus XO2 lenses incubated with S. aureus (P < 0.01). Fewer bacterial colonies attached to the XO-P versus XO lenses incubated with P. aeruginosa (P < 0.01). Further, scanning electron microscopy suggested different bacterial adhesion morphology on plasma-treated versus control lenses. Plasma surface modification can significantly decrease bacterial adhesion to fluorosilicone acrylate contact lenses. This study provides important evidence of a unique benefit of plasma technology in contact lens surface modification.

Effectiveness and Safety of Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir and Paritaprevir/ritonavir/Ombitasvir + Dasabuvir in Patients with Chronic Kidney Diseases: Results from ERCHIVES

PubMed Central

Butt, Adeel; Ren, Yanjie; Puenpatom, Amy; Arduino, Jean Marie; Kumar, Ritesh; Abou-Samra, Abdul-Badi

2017-01-01

Abstract Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was a relative contraindication to HCV treatment in the interferon/ribavirin era due to poor tolerability and lower efficacy. Our aim was to determine the effectiveness treatment completion, and safety of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (SOF/LDV) and paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombitasvir/dasabuvir (PrOD) regimens in persons with CKD. Methods We identified all persons started on a SOF/LDV or PrOD regimen in ERCHIVES before 30 April 2016. We excluded those with missing HCV genotype, or eGFR values. We determined treatment completion, sustained virologic response (SVR) rates and proportion of persons with worseningrenal function or developing grade 3/4 anemia. Results We identified 9,837 persons on SOF/LDV, 3,826 on SOF/LDV+RBV, 1,017 on PrOD and 2,944 on PrOD+RBV. Genotype 1a was the predominant genotype for SOF/LDV+RBV (77.3% no RBV; 70.0% with RBV) and PrOD+RBV (79.5%) groups, while only 4.3% of PrOD with no RBV group were genotype 1a. Among treated patients, the prevalence of patients with stage 4–5 CKD was 0.8% (SOF/LDV + RBV), 1.1% (SOF/LDVno RBV), 2.2% (PrOD +RBV) and 5.4% (PrOD no RBV). Among 13,663 total persons on SOF/LDV, 67.8% completed treatment while the treatment completion rate of those on PrOD was 74.0% (N = 2,932/3,961) (Table 1). The overall SVR rates of persons on SOF/LDV or PrOD regimens were 96.3%. A drop in treatment completion rates was seen in CKD stage 4–5 and those on PrOD+RBV, but the impact of RBV on SVR was unclear. While about one-third of the persons with a CKD stage 1–2 experienced a >10 mL/minute/1,73m2, about 15% decline among those with CKD stage 3. The incidence of grade3/4 anemia by CKD stages increased significantly across the treatment groups. Grade 3/4 anemia ranged from 9.7% (SOF/LDV) to 21.8% (PrOD) among patients with CKD stage 4–5 (Table 2). Conclusion SVR rates among persons treated with SOF/LDV or PrOD were high in the CKD population despite 22% not completing the treatment regimen. Incidence of grade3/4 anemia increased significantly in CKD stage 4–5 across the treatment groups. Disclosures A. Butt, Merck: Investigator, Grant recipient.A. Puenpatom, Merck: Employee, Salary. J. M. Arduino, Merck: Employee, Salary. R. Kumar, Merck: Employee, Salary

Long-term thermal stability of nanoclusters in ODS-Eurofer steel: An atom probe tomography study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zilnyk, K. D.; Pradeep, K. G.; Choi, P.; Sandim, H. R. Z.; Raabe, D.

2017-08-01

Oxide-dispersion strengthened materials are important candidates for several high-temperature structural applications in advanced nuclear power plants. Most of the desirable mechanical properties presented by these materials are due to the dispersion of stable nanoparticles in the matrix. Samples of ODS-Eurofer steel were annealed for 4320 h (6 months) at 800 °C. The material was characterized using atom probe tomography in both conditions (prior and after heat treatment). The particles number density, size distribution, and chemical compositions were determined. No significant changes were observed between the two conditions indicating a high thermal stability of the Y-rich nanoparticles at 800 °C.

Measurement of in vitro microtubule polymerization by turbidity and fluorescence.

PubMed

Mirigian, Matthew; Mukherjee, Kamalika; Bane, Susan L; Sackett, Dan L

2013-01-01

Tubulin polymerization may be conveniently monitored by the increase in turbidity (optical density, or OD) or by the increase in fluorescence intensity of diamidino-phenylindole. The resulting data can be a quantitative measure of microtubule (MT) assembly, but some care is needed in interpretation, especially of OD data. Buffer formulations used for the assembly reaction significantly influence the polymerization, both by altering the critical concentration for polymerization and by altering the exact polymer produced-for example, by increasing the production of sheet polymers in addition to MT. Both the turbidity and the fluorescence methods are useful for demonstrating the effect of MT-stabilizing or -destabilizing additives. 2013 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Young hospital doctors after night duty: their task-specific cognitive status and emotional condition.

PubMed

Lingenfelser, T; Kaschel, R; Weber, A; Zaiser-Kaschel, H; Jakober, B; Küper, J

1994-11-01

Sleep deprivation is an unpleasant burden of young hospital doctors during their medical training. It may disrupt the balance between coping strategies available to them and the professional demands encountered. Impaired medical care offered by sleep-deprived juniors may be a consequence. Valid research work on this subject is rare and surprisingly contradictory. Therefore, we evaluated the task-specific cognitive status and emotional condition of 40 young hospital doctors (27 men and 13 women, 29.9 +/- 2.9 years of age) at the University of Tuebingen, all of whom were in the beginning of their academic career. Subjects were tested twice acting as their own control, once at 8.00 am after a night off duty (OD) (at least 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep), and once at a similar time after a night on call (OC) being in the hospital for 24 hours. Standardized and reliable psychometric tests thought to represent daily routine medical function were performed. On-call activities were recorded by means of a sleep diary, whereas a questionnaire interrogated aspects of private and professional life. Neuropsychological function deteriorated significantly: number connection test (per cent of norms +/- SD, 103.2 +/- 9.8 OC vs 107.8 +/- 10.5 OD, F = 27.7, P < 0.001), things-to-do list (correct items +/- SD, 6.7 +/- 1.2 OC vs 7.4 +/- 1.5 OD, F = 12.7, P < 0.01), Vienna reaction timer (per cent of norms +/- SD, 95.6 +/- 9.0 OC vs 97.7 +/- 10.4 OD, F = 4.8, P < 0.05), Stroop test (T-values +/- SD, 59.7 +/- 6.3 OC vs 64.6 +/- 7.1 OD, F = 37.1, P < 0.001), ECG test (correct responses +/- SD, 38.3 +/- 7.3 OC vs 43.4 +/- 6.5 OD, F = 45.2, P < 0.001) and status of mood (T-value +/- SD, 60.3 +/- 9.0 OC vs 54.0 +/- 6.6 OD, F = 19.6, P < 0.001). Cognitive function and mood status of young hospital doctors after a night on call decrease considerably. In view of the special vulnerability of medical trainees to occupational stress all efforts are warranted to reduce sleep deprivation in the medical profession.

Use of near-infrared spectroscopy to identify traumatic intracranial hemotomas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robertson, Claudia S.; Gopinath, Shankar; Chance, Britton

1997-01-01

Delayed intracranial hematomas are an important treatable cause of secondary brain injury in patients with head trauma. Early identification and treatment of these mass lesions, which appear or enlarge after the initial CT scan, may improve neurological outcome. Serial examinations using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to detect the development of delayed hematomas were performed in 305 patients. The difference in optical density ((Delta) OD) at 760 nm between the normal and the hematoma side was measured on admission and then serially during the first three to five days after injury. On admission, the (Delta) OD was highly predictive of the initial findings on CT scan. Patients with an epidural, subdural, or intracerebral hematoma had significantly greater (Delta) OD in the involved brain region than patients with diffuse brain injury. For the extracerebral hematomas, the (Delta) OD was significantly related to the size of the hematoma (r2 equals 0.55 and 0.77 for subdural and epidural hematomas, respectively). Fifty-nine (19%) of the patients developed some type of late hematoma: there was an intracerebral hematoma in 29 patients, an extracerebral hematoma in 7 patients, and a postoperative hematoma in 23 patients. Thirty-three of the late hematomas were large enough to require surgical evacuation. The hematomas appeared between 2 and 72 h after admission. In 55 of the 59 patients, an increase in the (Delta) OD to greater than 0.10 occurred prior to an increase in intracranial pressure or a change in the neurological examination. Early diagnosis using NIRS may allow early treatment and reduce secondary injury caused by delayed hematomas.

Atmospheric Chemiluminescence: COCHISE and FACELIF Experiments

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-02-24

reaction, we find that the branch for O(|D) pro- However, in similar studies of CO(vJ) excitation by energy duction (reaction 2b) can account for all the...interaction zone to account for the observed emissions with the number densities determined from modeling studies . The number density calculations have...detailed time-resolved kinetic studies rate coefficient would be sufficient to account for the quanti- will be required to resolve this issue. ty of N. (w

Ocular Dominance Plasticity after Stroke Was Preserved in PSD-95 Knockout Mice.

PubMed

Greifzu, Franziska; Parthier, Daniel; Goetze, Bianka; Schlüter, Oliver M; Löwel, Siegrid

2016-01-01

Neuronal plasticity is essential to enable rehabilitation when the brain suffers from injury, such as following a stroke. One of the most established models to study cortical plasticity is ocular dominance (OD) plasticity in the primary visual cortex (V1) of the mammalian brain induced by monocular deprivation (MD). We have previously shown that OD-plasticity in adult mouse V1 is absent after a photothrombotic (PT) stroke lesion in the adjacent primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Exposing lesioned mice to conditions which reduce the inhibitory tone in V1, such as raising animals in an enriched environment or short-term dark exposure, preserved OD-plasticity after an S1-lesion. Here we tested whether modification of excitatory circuits can also be beneficial for preserving V1-plasticity after stroke. Mice lacking postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), a signaling scaffold present at mature excitatory synapses, have lifelong juvenile-like OD-plasticity caused by an increased number of AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) -silent synapses in V1 but unaltered inhibitory tone. In fact, using intrinsic signal optical imaging, we show here that OD-plasticity was preserved in V1 of adult PSD-95 KO mice after an S1-lesion but not in PSD-95 wildtype (WT)-mice. In addition, experience-enabled enhancement of the optomotor reflex of the open eye after MD was compromised in both lesioned PSD-95 KO and PSD-95 WT mice. Basic V1-activation and retinotopic map quality were, however, not different between lesioned PSD-95 KO mice and their WT littermates. The preserved OD-plasticity in the PSD-95 KO mice indicates that V1-plasticity after a distant stroke can be promoted by either changes in excitatory circuitry or by lowering the inhibitory tone in V1 as previously shown. Furthermore, the present data indicate that an increased number of AMPA-silent synapses preserves OD-plasticity not only in the healthy brain, but also in another experimental paradigm of cortical plasticity, namely the long-range influence on V1-plasticity after an S1-lesion.

Ocular Dominance Plasticity after Stroke Was Preserved in PSD-95 Knockout Mice

PubMed Central

Greifzu, Franziska; Parthier, Daniel; Goetze, Bianka; Schlüter, Oliver M.; Löwel, Siegrid

2016-01-01

Neuronal plasticity is essential to enable rehabilitation when the brain suffers from injury, such as following a stroke. One of the most established models to study cortical plasticity is ocular dominance (OD) plasticity in the primary visual cortex (V1) of the mammalian brain induced by monocular deprivation (MD). We have previously shown that OD-plasticity in adult mouse V1 is absent after a photothrombotic (PT) stroke lesion in the adjacent primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Exposing lesioned mice to conditions which reduce the inhibitory tone in V1, such as raising animals in an enriched environment or short-term dark exposure, preserved OD-plasticity after an S1-lesion. Here we tested whether modification of excitatory circuits can also be beneficial for preserving V1-plasticity after stroke. Mice lacking postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), a signaling scaffold present at mature excitatory synapses, have lifelong juvenile-like OD-plasticity caused by an increased number of AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) -silent synapses in V1 but unaltered inhibitory tone. In fact, using intrinsic signal optical imaging, we show here that OD-plasticity was preserved in V1 of adult PSD-95 KO mice after an S1-lesion but not in PSD-95 wildtype (WT)-mice. In addition, experience-enabled enhancement of the optomotor reflex of the open eye after MD was compromised in both lesioned PSD-95 KO and PSD-95 WT mice. Basic V1-activation and retinotopic map quality were, however, not different between lesioned PSD-95 KO mice and their WT littermates. The preserved OD-plasticity in the PSD-95 KO mice indicates that V1-plasticity after a distant stroke can be promoted by either changes in excitatory circuitry or by lowering the inhibitory tone in V1 as previously shown. Furthermore, the present data indicate that an increased number of AMPA-silent synapses preserves OD-plasticity not only in the healthy brain, but also in another experimental paradigm of cortical plasticity, namely the long-range influence on V1-plasticity after an S1-lesion. PMID:26930616

Diagnostic potential of monoclonal antibodies developed against C-terminal polypeptide of P. falciparum Histidine Rich Protein2 (PfHRP2) in malaria infected patients from India.

PubMed

Verma, Reena; Chandy, Sara; Jayaprakash, N S; Manoharan, Anand; Vijayalakshmi, M A; Venkataraman, Krishnan

2017-09-01

Malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum has become a major health burden in most tropical and developing countries. P. falciparum Histidine Rich Protein2 (PfHRP2), which exhibits polymorphism, is being widely used as a diagnostic marker. Recently, we reported the development of monoclonal antibodies against conserved C-terminal 105 amino acids of PfHRP2 for malaria diagnosis. Now, in this study, the diagnostic performance of two anti-C-terminal PfHRP2 mAbs (b10c1 and Aa3c10) were evaluated with 100 blood samples from clinically identified malaria patients from seven different geographical centers in India. Sandwich ELISA, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and statistical tools were used for the evaluation of the performance of the anti-C-terminal PfHRP2 mAb. These mAbs detected P. falciparum (mean OD value 1.525 ± 0.56) malaria with great accuracy with no cross reactivity with P. Plasmodium vivax (mean OD value 0.285 ± 0.051) and normal healthy control samples (mean OD value 0.185 ± 0.06) in Sandwich ELISA assay. The samples which were RDT negative for P. falciparum were also reactive in Sandwich ELISA with mean OD value of (1.303 ± 0.532). The amount of PfHRP2 antigen in the patients' blood sample was quantified and categorized into three distinct groups having the HRP2 antigen in high, intermediate and low amounts. The presence of Pfhrp2 gene was also confirmed by PCR analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of the mAb were found to be 95 and 96% respectively. These data strongly suggest that the anti-C-terminal PfHRP2 mAbs b10c1 and Aa3c10 have merits for improvising the existing malarial diagnostics.

Smoking affects diagnostic salivary periodontal disease biomarker levels in adolescents.

PubMed

Heikkinen, Anna Maria; Sorsa, Timo; Pitkäniemi, Janne; Tervahartiala, Taina; Kari, Kirsti; Broms, Ulla; Koskenvuo, Markku; Meurman, Jukka H

2010-09-01

The effects of smoking on periodontal biomarkers in adolescents are unknown. This study investigates matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase levels in saliva together with periodontal health indices accounting for body mass index and smoking in a birth cohort from Finland. The oral health of boys (n = 258) and girls (n = 243) aged 15 to 16 years was examined clinically. Health habits were assessed by questionnaire. Saliva samples were collected and analyzed by immunofluorometric and peptide assays for MMP-8 levels and polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase activities, and investigated statistically with the background factors. Median MMP-8 values of male smokers were 112.03 microg/l compared to 176.89 microg/l of non-smokers (P = 0.05). For female smokers corresponding values were 170.88 microg/l versus 177.92 microg/l in non-smokers (not statistically significant). Elastase values in male smokers were 5.88 x 10(-3) Delta OD(405)/h versus 11.0 x 10(-3) Delta OD(405)/h in non-smokers (P = 0.02), and in female smokers 9.16 x 10(-3) Delta OD(405)/h versus 10.88 x 10(-3) Delta OD(405)/h in non-smokers (P = 0.72). The effect was strengthened by high pack-years of smoking (MMP-8, P = 0.04; elastase, P = 0.01). Both biomarkers increased with gingival bleeding. However, statistically significant associations were observed with bleeding on probing and MMP-8 (P = 0.04); MMP-8 was suggestively associated with probing depth (P = 0.09) in non-smoking boys. In smokers with calculus, MMP-8 increased after adjusting with body mass index (P = 0.03). No corresponding differences were seen in girls. Smoking significantly decreased both biomarkers studied. Compared to girls, boys seem to have enhanced susceptibility for periodontitis as reflected in salivary MMP-8 values.

Cell-Autonomous Regulation of Dendritic Spine Density by PirB.

PubMed

Vidal, George S; Djurisic, Maja; Brown, Kiana; Sapp, Richard W; Shatz, Carla J

2016-01-01

Synapse density on cortical pyramidal neurons is modulated by experience. This process is highest during developmental critical periods, when mechanisms of synaptic plasticity are fully engaged. In mouse visual cortex, the critical period for ocular dominance (OD) plasticity coincides with the developmental pruning of synapses. At this time, mice lacking paired Ig-like receptor B (PirB) have excess numbers of dendritic spines on L5 neurons; these spines persist and are thought to underlie the juvenile-like OD plasticity observed in adulthood. Here we examine whether PirB is required specifically in excitatory neurons to exert its effect on dendritic spine and synapse density during the critical period. In mice with a conditional allele of PirB (PirB fl/fl ), PirB was deleted only from L2/3 cortical pyramidal neurons in vivo by timed in utero electroporation of Cre recombinase. Sparse mosaic expression of Cre produced neurons lacking PirB in a sea of wild-type neurons and glia. These neurons had significantly elevated dendritic spine density, as well as increased frequency of miniature EPSCs, suggesting that they receive a greater number of synaptic inputs relative to Cre - neighbors. The effect of cell-specific PirB deletion on dendritic spine density was not accompanied by changes in dendritic branching complexity or axonal bouton density. Together, results imply a neuron-specific, cell-autonomous action of PirB on synaptic density in L2/3 pyramidal cells of visual cortex. Moreover, they are consistent with the idea that PirB functions normally to corepress spine density and synaptic plasticity, thereby maintaining headroom for cells to encode ongoing experience-dependent structural change throughout life.

Gafchromic EBT-XD film: Dosimetry characterization in high-dose, volumetric-modulated arc therapy.

PubMed

Miura, Hideharu; Ozawa, Shuichi; Hosono, Fumika; Sumida, Naoki; Okazue, Toshiya; Yamada, Kiyoshi; Nagata, Yasushi

2016-11-08

Radiochromic films are important tools for assessing complex dose distributions. Gafchromic EBT-XD films have been designed for optimal performance in the 40-4,000 cGy dose range. We investigated the dosimetric characteristics of these films, including their dose-response, postexposure density growth, and dependence on scanner orientation, beam energy, and dose rate with applications to high-dose volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) verification. A 10 MV beam from a TrueBeam STx linear accelerator was used to irradiate the films with doses in the 0-4,000 cGy range. Postexposure coloration was analyzed at postirradiation times ranging from several minutes to 48 h. The films were also irradiated with 6 MV (dose rate (DR): 600 MU/min), 6 MV flattening filter-free (FFF) (DR: 1,400 MU/ min), and 10 MV FFF (DR: 2,400 MU/min) beams to determine the energy and dose-rate dependence. For clinical examinations, we compared the dose distribu-tion measured with EBT-XD films and calculated by the planning system for four VMAT cases. The red channel of the EBT-XD film exhibited a wider dynamic range than the green and blue channels. Scanner orientation yielded a variation of ~ 3% in the net optical density (OD). The difference between the film front and back scan orientations was negligible, with variation of ~ 1.3% in the net OD. The net OD increased sharply within the first 6 hrs after irradiation and gradually afterwards. No significant difference was observed for the beam energy and dose rate, with a variation of ~ 1.5% in the net OD. The gamma passing rates (at 3%, 3 mm) between the film- measured and treatment planning system (TPS)-calculated dose distributions under a high dose VMAT plan in the absolute dose mode were more than 98.9%. © 2016 The Authors.

Gafchromic EBT‐XD film: Dosimetry characterization in high‐dose, volumetric‐modulated arc therapy

PubMed Central

Ozawa, Shuichi; Hosono, Fumika; Sumida, Naoki; Okazue, Toshiya; Yamada, Kiyoshi; Nagata, Yasushi

2016-01-01

Radiochromic films are important tools for assessing complex dose distributions. Gafchromic EBT‐XD films have been designed for optimal performance in the 40–4,000 cGy dose range. We investigated the dosimetric characteristics of these films, including their dose‐response, postexposure density growth, and dependence on scanner orientation, beam energy, and dose rate with applications to high‐dose volumetric‐modulated arc therapy (VMAT) verification. A 10 MV beam from a TrueBeam STx linear accelerator was used to irradiate the films with doses in the 0–4,000 cGy range. Postexposure coloration was analyzed at postirradiation times ranging from several minutes to 48 h. The films were also irradiated with 6 MV (dose rate (DR): 600 MU/min), 6 MV flattening filter‐free (FFF) (DR: 1,400 MU/ min), and 10 MV FFF (DR: 2,400 MU/min) beams to determine the energy and dose‐rate dependence. For clinical examinations, we compared the dose distribution measured with EBT‐XD films and calculated by the planning system for four VMAT cases. The red channel of the EBT‐XD film exhibited a wider dynamic range than the green and blue channels. Scanner orientation yielded a variation of ∼3% in the net optical density (OD). The difference between the film front and back scan orientations was negligible, with variation of ∼1.3% in the net OD. The net OD increased sharply within the first 6 hrs after irradiation and gradually afterwards. No significant difference was observed for the beam energy and dose rate, with a variation of ∼1.5% in the net OD. The gamma passing rates (at 3%, 3 mm) between the film‐ measured and treatment planning system (TPS)‐calculated dose distributions under a high dose VMAT plan in the absolute dose mode were more than 98.9%. PACS number(s): 87.56 Fc PMID:27929504

A maintenance three-day-per-week schedule with the single tablet regimen efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is effective and decreases sub-clinical toxicity: the A-TRI-WEEK pilot trial.

PubMed

Rojas, Jhon; Blanco, Jose L; Sanchez-Palomino, Sonsoles; Marcos, Maria A; Guardo, Alberto C; Gonzalez-Cordon, Ana; Lonca, Montserrat; Tricas, Amparo; Rodriguez, Ana; Romero, Anabel; Miro, Jose M; Mallolas, Josep; Gatell, Jose M; Plana, Montserrat; Martinez, Esteban

2018-05-09

Antiretroviral drugs contained in single tablet Atripla® have pharmacokinetic properties that could allow for longer than once-daily (OD) dosing. We hypothesized that simplifying Atripla® OD to 3-day per week would be feasible, able to maintain viral suppression and less toxic. Virologically suppressed (≥2 years) HIV+ adults on Atripla® OD, CD4 >350/mm at inclusion, and no prior documented virological failure or evidence of resistance mutations to efavirenz, tenofovir, or emtricitabine were randomized to maintain their OD regimen or to reduce it to 3 days (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) a week (3W). Primary end-point was the proportion of patients free of treatment failure (non-completer = failure) at 24 weeks. CD4 and CD8 cells, ultrasensitive HIV-1 RNA, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), bone mineral density, plasma efavirenz levels, and fasting blood and urine chemistries were measured at baseline and 24 weeks. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01778413. Sixty-one patients were randomized. All patients in both arms remained free of treatment failure (estimated difference 0%; 95% confidence interval -14.1 to 14.1). Ultrasensitive plasma HIV-1 RNA below detection threshold showed no difference between arms (70% in the 3W arm vs. 71% in the OD arm, P = 0.933) at 24 weeks. Total cholesterol and femur T-score significantly increased, while PSQI, plasma efavirenz, albumin/creatinine and beta-2-microglobulin in urine significantly decreased in the 3W arm relative to OD arm. The A-TRI-WEEK study represents a proof of concept for the feasibility of three-day per week Atripla® maintenance that should be further confirmed in a larger, well-powered clinical trial.

SU-E-T-637: Age and Batch Dependence of Gafchromic EBT Films in Photon and Proton Beam Dosimetry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Das, I; Akino, Y

2014-06-15

Purpose: Gafchrmoic films have undergone significant changes in characteristic over time reflected by HS, EBT, EBT2, EBT3 name. Interand intra- EBT film variability have been studied and found to be significant. However, age and lot/batch type have not been studied in various radiation beams that are investigated in this study. Methods: Thirteen sets of films; 2 EBT, 6 EBT2 and 5 EBT3 films with different lot number and expiration date were acquired. Films were cut longitudinally in 3 cm width and sandwiched between two solid water slabs that were placed in a water phantom to eliminate air gap. Each setmore » of films were irradiated longitudinally at dmax with 6 and 15 MV photon beams as well as in reference condition (16 cm range, 10 cm SOBP) in our uniform scanning proton beam. Films were scanned using an Epson flatbed scanner (ES-10000G) after 48 hours to achieve full polymerization. The profiles were compared with the depth-dose measured with ionization chamber and net optical density (net OD) were calculated. Results: The net OD versus dose for EBT, EBT2 and EBT3 films of different age showed similar trend but with different slope. Even after calibration, differences are clearly visible in net OD in proton and photon beams. A net OD difference of nearly 0.5 is observed in photon but this was limited to 0.2–0.3 in proton beam. This relates to 20% and 15% dosimetric difference in photon and proton beam respectively over age and type of film. Conclusion: Net OD related to dose is dependent on the age and lot of the film in both photon and proton beams. It is concluded that before any set of film is used, a calibration film should be used for a meaningful dosimetry. The expired films showed larger OD variation compared to unexpired films.« less

Evaluation of the palatabilities in 10 different famotidine orally disintegrating tablets by combination of disintegration device and taste sensor.

PubMed

Yoshida, Miyako; Hazekawa, Mai; Haraguchi, Tamami; Uchida, Takahiro

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the palatabilities of the original and nine generic versions of famotidine orally disintegrating tablets (FODTs) by means of disintegration times and bitterness intensities determined using in combination disintegration device and taste sensor comparison of human gustatory sensation tests. The disintegration times were determined using a new disintegration testing equipment for ODTs, the OD-mate and bitterness intensities were determined using the SA501C taste-sensing system. The disintegration time and bitterness of each FODT was evaluated in gustatory sensation tests. There was a good correlation between the disintegration times of 10 FODTs estimated in human gustatory testing and those found using the OD-mate. The bitterness intensities of FODTs at 10, 20 and 30 s after starting the disintegration using the OD-mate and the values determined by the taste sensor were highly correlated with the bitterness intensities determined in gustatory sensation testing. A combination of the OD-mate and the SA501C was capable of predicting the palatabilities, disintegration properties and bitterness intensity of FODTs.

Cause and motivation in cases of non-fatal drug overdoses in opiate addicts.

PubMed

Pfab, R; Eyer, F; Jetzinger, E; Zilker, Thomas

2006-01-01

Drug overdose (OD) is a frequent incident among opiate addicts. Survivors of ODs are at risk for additional and eventually fatal ODs. ODs may be classified as accidental (aOD) or deliberate (dOD). Investigations into the connection between OD and suicide attempts have led to insconsistent results. (1) to determine how many non-fatal ODs were dODs and how many were aODs; (2) to determine how many cases of dODs were motivated by explicit or by ambivalent suicidal intentions; (3) to determine how many cases of aODs had causes that might respond to preventative measures; (4) to compare the addiction histories of dODs and aODs; (5) to compare the drugs causing the ODs; and (6) to compare the severity of the ODs in both groups. Prospective study utilizing a standardized questionnaire to evaluate opiate-addicted patients admitted to our treatment unit for OD. All cases underwent standardized drug testing to identify drug use patterns. Seventy-four cases of OD underwent standardized interviews after awakening. Forty-three percent of the cases were dOD. Cases of dOD had significantly more OA in substitution programs, more previous ODs, and more often consumed methadone and cocaine. Among dODs, 22.5% had suicidal intention and 9.6% were ambivalent about committing suicide; background motivations were most often conflicts with spouses. Fifty-seven percent of the cases were aOD. Cases of aODs had significantly more potential lethal intoxications and had heroin detected more frequently. aODs happened with unexpected pure heroin (46%), in combination with alcohol (36%), as relapse after abstinence (40%) or after institutionalized treatment (19%). This group should be accessible for targeted education.

Cleaning with a wet sterile gauze significantly reduces contamination of sutures, instruments, and surgical gloves in an ex-vivo pelvic flexure enterotomy model in horses

PubMed Central

Giusto, Gessica; Tramuta, Clara; Caramello, Vittorio; Comino, Francesco; Nebbia, Patrizia; Robino, Patrizia; Singer, Ellen; Grego, Elena; Gandini, Marco

2017-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate whether cleaning surgical materials used to close pelvic flexure enterotomies with a wet sterile gauze will reduce contamination and whether the use of a full thickness appositional suture pattern (F) or a partial thickness inverting (or Cushing) suture pattern (C) would make a difference in the level of contamination. Large colon specimens were assigned to group F or C and divided into subgroups N and G. In group G, a wet sterile gauze was passed over the suture material, another over the instruments, and another over the gloves. In group N, no treatment was applied. The bacterial concentration was measured by optical density (OD) at 24 h. The OD of subgroup CG was lower than that of subgroup CN (P = 0.019). The OD of subgroup FG was lower than that of subgroup FN (P = 0.02). The OD of subgroups CG, CN, FG, and FN was lower than that of the negative control (P < 0.003, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.00). The use of a sterile wet gauze significantly reduced contamination of suture materials. A partial thickness inverting suture pattern did not produce less contamination than a full thickness appositional suture pattern. PMID:28154467

Growth of Campylobacter incubated aerobically in fumarate-pyruvate media or media supplemented with dairy, meat, or soy extracts and peptones.

PubMed

Hinton, Arthur

2016-09-01

The ability of Campylobacter to grow aerobically in media supplemented with fumarate-pyruvate or with dairy, meat, or soy extracts or peptones was examined. Optical densities (OD) of Campylobacter cultured in basal media, media supplemented with fumarate-pyruvate or with 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, or 7.5% beef extract was measured. Growth was also compared in media supplemented with other extracts or peptones. Finally, cfu/mL of Campylobacter recovered from basal media or media supplemented with fumarate-pyruvate, casamino acids, beef extract, soytone, or beef extract and soytone was determined. Results indicated that OD of cultures grown in media supplemented with fumarate-pyruvate or with 5.0 or 7.5% beef extract were higher than OD of isolates grown in basal media or media supplemented with lower concentrations of beef extract. Highest OD were produced by isolates grown in media supplemented with beef extract, peptone from meat, polypeptone, proteose peptone, or soytone. Also, more cfu/mL were recovered from media with fumarate-pyruvate, beef extract, soytone, or beef extract-soytone than from basal media or media with casamino acids. Findings indicate that media supplemented with organic acids, vitamins, and minerals and media supplemented with extracts or peptones containing these metabolites can support aerobic growth of Campylobacter. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

A silicone rubber based composites using n-octadecane/poly (styrene-methyl methacrylate) microcapsules as energy storage particle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, W. L.; Chen, Z.

A phase-change energy-storage material, silicone rubber (SR) coated n-octadecane/poly (styrene-methyl methacrylate) (SR/OD/P(St-MMA)) microcapsule composites, was prepared by mixing SR and OD/P(St-MMA) microcapsules. The microcapsule content and silicone rubber coated method were investigated. The morphology and thermal properties of the composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and heat storage properties. The results showed that the thermal and mechanical properties of SR/OD/P(St-MMA) composites were excellent when the microcapsules were coated with room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTVSR), of which content was 2 phr (per hundred rubber). The enthalpy value of the composites was 67.6 J g-1 and the composites were found to have good energy storage function.

The influence of target angular velocity on visual latency difference determined using the rotating Pulfrich effect.

PubMed

Nickalls, R W

1996-09-01

Visual latency difference was determined directly in normal volunteers, using the rotating Pulfrich technique described by Nickalls [Vision Research, 26, 367-372 (1986)]. Subjects fixated a black vertical rod rotating clockwise on a horizontal turntable turning with constant angular velocity (16.6,33.3 or 44.7 revs/min) with a neutral density filter (OD 0.7 or 1.5) in front of the right eye. For all subjects the latency difference associated with the 1.5 OD filter was significantly greater (P < 0.001) with the rod rotating at 16.6 rev/min than at 33.3 revs/min. The existence of an inverse relationship between latency difference and angular velocity is hypothesized.

Changes in glutamate receptor subunits within the medulla in goats after section of the carotid sinus nerves

PubMed Central

Miller, Justin Robert; Neumueller, Suzanne; Muere, Clarissa; Olesiak, Samantha; Pan, Lawrence; Bukowy, John D.; Daghistany, Asem O.; Hodges, Matthew R.

2014-01-01

The mechanisms which contribute to the time-dependent recovery of resting ventilation and the ventilatory CO2 chemoreflex after carotid body denervation (CBD) are poorly understood. Herein we tested the hypothesis that there are time-dependent changes in the expression of specific AMPA, NMDA, and/or neurokinin-1 (NK1R) receptors within respiratory-related brain stem nuclei acutely or chronically after CBD in adult goats. Brain stem tissues were collected acutely (5 days) or chronically (30 days) after sham or bilateral CBD, immunostained with antibodies targeting AMPA (GluA1 or GluA2), NMDA (GluN1), or NK-1 receptors, and optical density (OD) compared. Physiological measurement confirmed categorization of each group and showed ventilatory effects consistent with bilateral CBD (Miller et al. J Appl Physiol 115: 1088–1098, 2013). Acutely after CBD, GluA1 OD was unchanged or slightly increased, but GluA2 and GluN1 OD were reduced 15–30% within the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and in other medullary respiratory nuclei. Chronically after CBD, GluA1 was reduced (P < 0.05) within the caudal NTS and in other nuclei, but there was significant recovery of GluA2 and GluN1 OD. NK1 OD was not significantly different from control after CBD. We conclude that the initial decrease in GluA2 and GluN1 after CBD likely contributes to hypoventilation and the reduced CO2 chemoreflex. The partial recovery of ventilation and the CO2 chemoreflex after CBD parallel a time-dependent return of these receptors to near control levels but likely depend upon additional initiating and maintenance factors for neuroplasticity. PMID:24790015

Effects of alcohols, povidone-iodine and hydrogen peroxide on biofilms of Staphylococcus epidermidis.

PubMed

Presterl, Elisabeth; Suchomel, Miranda; Eder, Michaela; Reichmann, Sonja; Lassnigg, Andrea; Graninger, Wolfgang; Rotter, Manfred

2007-08-01

To test the effects of several biocides [N-propanol, a commercially available propanol/ethanol/chlorhexidine mixture, polyvinylpyrolidone (povidone-iodine) and hydrogen peroxide] on established biofilms of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from patients with cardiac implant infections and catheter-related bacteraemia. Biofilms were grown in microtitre plates for 24 h, dyed and stained with Crystal Violet. The mean optical density (OD) and the OD ratio (ODr=OD of the treated biofilm/OD of the untreated biofilm) were used for quantification. Biofilms were incubated with 60% (v/v) N-propanol, the mixture of propanol/ethanol/chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide at three concentrations (0.5%, 3% and 5%, v/v) and povidone-iodine for 1, 5, 15, 30 and 60 min. Unstained biofilms were sonicated and plated on Columbia agar for time-kill curves. S. epidermidis skin isolates from healthy volunteers were used as controls. Biofilm ODs of the clinical S. epidermidis isolates and the isolates from the healthy volunteers were significantly different (1.17+/-0.512 versus 0.559+/-0.095, respectively; mean+/-SD) (P<0.01). No viable S. epidermidis was detected in biofilms treated with the alcohols, N-propanol or the propanol/ethanol/chlorhexidine mixture. Incubation with povidone-iodine and hydrogen peroxide 3% and 5% led to a log reduction of the viable cells of >5 after incubation for 5 min, however, up to 10(3) viable cells were detected in four isolates after 30 min of incubation with povidone-iodine. S. epidermidis obtained from infected implants forms thicker biofilms than that of healthy volunteers. Hydrogen peroxide, at a concentration of 3% and 5%, and alcohols rapidly eradicate S. epidermidis biofilms, whereas povidone-iodine is less effective.

Torsional energy levels of CH₃OH⁺/CH₃OD⁺/CD₃OD⁺ studied by zero-kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations.

PubMed

Dai, Zuyang; Gao, Shuming; Wang, Jia; Mo, Yuxiang

2014-10-14

The torsional energy levels of CH3OH(+), CH3OD(+), and CD3OD(+) have been determined for the first time using one-photon zero kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy. The adiabatic ionization energies for CH3OH, CH3OD, and CD3OD are determined as 10.8396, 10.8455, and 10.8732 eV with uncertainties of 0.0005 eV, respectively. Theoretical calculations have also been performed to obtain the torsional energy levels for the three isotopologues using a one-dimensional model with approximate zero-point energy corrections of the torsional potential energy curves. The calculated values are in good agreement with the experimental data. The barrier height of the torsional potential energy without zero-point energy correction was calculated as 157 cm(-1), which is about half of that of the neutral (340 cm(-1)). The calculations showed that the cation has eclipsed conformation at the energy minimum and staggered one at the saddle point, which is the opposite of what is observed in the neutral molecule. The fundamental C-O stretch vibrational energy level for CD3OD(+) has also been determined. The energy levels for the combinational excitation of the torsional vibration and the fundamental C-O stretch vibration indicate a strong torsion-vibration coupling.

A High Frequency Analysis of Electromagnetic Plane Wave Scattering by a Fully Illuminated Perfectly Conducting Semi-Infinite Cone.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-01-01

mn, 5] sin OdOd (B.39) 98 V Due to the orthogonality of the Legendre polynomials (shown in Appendix D), there is only a value when v = v’. This yields... some of his unpublished results. These results were for the special case of axial incidence on the semi- infinite cone, and were useful in verifying my... general solution. I express gratitude to Mr.(Ph.D. Candidate) Ming Cheng Liang for our many hours of discussion, and to my office mate Mr.(Ph.D

Induction of acute hepatic injury by endotoxin in mice.

PubMed

Xie, Guo-Qi; Jiang, Jian-Xin; Chen, Yong-Hua; Liu, Da-Wei; Zhu, Pei-Fang; Wang, Zheng-Guo

2002-11-01

To investigate the changes of scavenger receptor (SR) and CD14 in Kupffer cells in endotoxemia in order to uncover the mechanism of the liver to turn a defense organ into effector one in sepsis. Mouse models of endotoxemia of different severity were reproduced by injection of different doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) via the tail vein. The expression of SR and CD14 in the liver was assayed by immunohistochemistry and was subsequently analyzed with an image analysis system. The levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in liver tissue were determined with ELISA. The expression of SR in the liver in the high-dose group was markedly decreased one hour after injection of LPS, and also in the low-dose group at 3 hours. The expression of SR in the liver in the two groups was shown to be progressively decreased with the time prolonged. There was significant difference in average optical density (OD) values of SR between the two groups. The expression of CD14 in the two groups was shown to be significantly increased one hour after injection of LPS, and more significantly with the time prolonged. But there was no significant difference in OD values of CD14 between the two groups. The contents of intrahepatic proinflammatory mediators TNF-alpha, IL-6, ALT and TBIL were significantly increased after injection of LPS. Correlation analysis revealed that the changes of TNF-alpha, IL-6, ALT, and TBIL were negatively correlated with the expression of SR, and positively with the expression of CD14. The up-regulation of CD14 expression and down-regulation of SR expression on Kupffer cells might be one of the important mechanisms for the conversion of Kupffer cells from immune defensive to inflammatory response cells in acute hepatic injury.

Using activity-based monitoring systems to detect dairy cows in oestrus: a field evaluation.

PubMed

Dela Rue, B T; Kamphuis, C; Burke, C R; Jago, J G

2014-03-01

To assess the use and performance of activity-based oestrus detection systems (ODS) on two commercial dairy farms using a gold standard based on profiles of concentrations of progesterone in milk, artificial insemination (AI) records and pregnancy diagnosis results. Two activity-based ODS were evaluated in mature cows on two large pasture-grazed dairy farms (>500 cows) over the first 3 weeks of AI. Farm 1 (n=286 cows) used a leg-mounted device and cows were drafted automatically based on activity alerts. Decisions regarding AI were then made based on tail-paint and cow history for these cows. Farm 2 (n=345 cows) used a collar-mounted device and activity alerts were used in conjunction with other information, before the farmer manually selected cows for AI. The gold standard to define the timing of oestrus was based on profiles of concentrations of progesterone in milk measured twice-weekly, used in conjunction with AI records and pregnancy diagnosis results. Sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) were calculated for the activity-based ODS data only, and then for AI decisions, against the gold standard. Farm 1 had 195 confirmed oestrus events and 209 activity alerts were generated. The sensitivity of the activity-based ODS was 89.2% with a PPV of 83.3%. Using tail-paint and cow history to confirm activity-based alerts 175 cows were inseminated, resulting in a sensitivity of 89.2% and an improved PPV of 99.4%. Farm 2 had 343 confirmed oestrus events, and 726 alerts were generated by the activity-based ODS, giving a sensitivity of 69.7% with a PPV of 32.9%. A total of 386 cows had AI records, giving a sensitivity of 81.3% and PPV of 72.3%. The two activity-based ODS were used differently on-farm; one automatically selecting cows and the other supporting the manual selection of cows in oestrus. Only one achieved a performance level suggested to be acceptable as a stand-alone ODS. Use of additional tools, such as observation of tail paint to confirm activity-based oestrus alerts before AI, substantially improved the PPV. A well performing activity-based ODS can be a valuable tool in identifying cows in oestrus prior to visual confirmation of oestrus status. However the performance of these ODS technologies varies considerably.

Automated oestrus detection using multimetric behaviour recognition in seasonal-calving dairy cattle on pasture.

PubMed

Brassel, J; Rohrssen, F; Failing, K; Wehrend, A

2018-06-11

To evaluate the performance of a novel accelerometer-based oestrus detection system (ODS) for dairy cows on pasture, in comparison with measurement of concentrations of progesterone in milk, ultrasonographic examination of ovaries and farmer observations. Mixed-breed lactating dairy cows (n=109) in a commercial, seasonal-calving herd managed at pasture under typical farming conditions in Ireland, were fitted with oestrus detection collars 3 weeks prior to mating start date. The ODS performed multimetric analysis of eight different motion patterns to generate oestrus alerts. Data were collected during the artificial insemination period of 66 days, commencing on 16 April 2015. Transrectal ultrasonographic examinations of the reproductive tract and measurements of concentrations of progesterone in milk were used to confirm oestrus events. Visual observations by the farmer and the number of theoretically expected oestrus events were used to evaluate the number of false negative ODS alerts. The percentage of eligible cows that were detected in oestrus at least once (and were confirmed true positives) was calculated for the first 21, 42 and 63 days of the insemination period. During the insemination period, the ODS generated 194 oestrus alerts and 140 (72.2%) were confirmed as true positives. Six confirmed oestrus events recognised by the farmer did not generate ODS alerts. The positive predictive value of the ODS was 72.2 (95% CI=65.3-78.4)%. To account for oestrus events not identified by the ODS or the farmer, four theoretical missed oestrus events were added to the false negatives. Estimated sensitivity of the automated ODS was 93.3 (95% CI=88.1-96.8)%. The proportion of eligible cows that were detected in oestrus during the first 21 days of the insemination period was 92/106 (86.8%), and during the first 42 and 63 days of the insemination period was 103/106 (97.2%) and 105/106 (99.1%), respectively. The ODS under investigation was suitable for oestrus detection in dairy cows on pasture and showed a high sensitivity of oestrus detection. Multimetric analysis of behavioural data seems to be the superior approach to developing and improving ODS for dairy cows on pasture. Due to a high proportion of false positive alerts, its use as a stand-alone system for oestrus detection cannot be recommended. As it is the first time the system was investigated, testing on other farms would be necessary for further validation.

Increase in Dominance of Eukaryote Over Prokaryote Phytoplankton Biomass Between the Surface and the Deep Chlorophyll Maximum in the Summertime Western North Atlantic Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vaillancourt, R. D.; Lance, V. P.; Hargreaves, B. R.; Marra, J. F.

2016-02-01

We report a general increase in the dominance of eukaryotes phytoplankton between the surface and the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) depths in the western North Atlantic Ocean along a transect between Bermuda (BATS) and the New England continental shelf sea during the summer 2007 & 2008. At each of 40 stations HPLC pigment concentrations were determined from 6 -10 depths from the surface to near or below the base of the euphotic zone. The community composition was determined using CHEMTAX (Mackey et al. 1996) using marker pigment ratios for varying light regimes published in Higgins et al (2011) and from our own monocultures. Cluster analysis was used to partition the dataset into five distinct regional groups to reduce the pigment ratio variability in CHEMTAX runs. Within each regional group the data were again clustered depth-wise into five to seven overlapping optical depth (OD) bins, and each OD bin was analyzed using a pigment ratio matrix ideal for that light depth range. This analysis revealed the likely presence of nine pigment classes: pelagophytes, diatoms, dinoflagellates, Synechococcus sp., Prochlorococcs sp., cryptophytes, chlorophytes, prasinophytes, and haptophytes. Partial verification of CHEMTAX results was obtained using flow cytometry cell counts coincident with samples from the BATS stations that show reasonable (according to published values) Chl a/cell values for surface and deep populations. At most locations and depths, the eukaryote haptophyte group dominated the phytoplankton biomass. In the upper optical depth the proportion of phytoplankton biomass contributed by prokaryotes was 39 (± 23)%. Deeper, between OD 1 and 2, this proportion decreased to 33 (± 17)%, between ODs 2 and 4.6 to 25 (± 15)%, and below OD 4.6, to 21 (± 17)%. Some geographic variation was observed, with the trend most pronounced in oligotrophic ocean waters and weaker in continental shelf waters.

Advanced ODS FeCrAl alloys for accident-tolerant fuel cladding

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dryepondt, Sebastien N; Unocic, Kinga A; Hoelzer, David T

2014-09-01

ODS FeCrAl alloys are being developed with optimum composition and properties for accident tolerant fuel cladding. Two oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) Fe-15Cr-5Al+Y2O3 alloys were fabricated by ball milling and extrusion of gas atomized metallic powder mixed with Y2O3 powder. To assess the impact of Mo on the alloy mechanical properties, one alloy contained 1%Mo. The hardness and tensile properties of the two alloys were close and higher than the values reported for fine grain PM2000 alloy. This is likely due to the combination of a very fine grain structure and the presence of nano oxide precipitates. The nano oxide dispersionmore » was however not sufficient to prevent grain boundary sliding at 800 C and the creep properties of the alloys were similar or only slightly superior to fine grain PM2000 alloy. Both alloys formed a protective alumina scale at 1200 C in air and steam and the mass gain curves were similar to curves generated with 12Cr-5Al+Y2O3 (+Hf or Zr) ODS alloys fabricated for a different project. To estimate the maximum temperature limit of use for the two alloys in steam, ramp tests at a rate of 5 C/min were carried out in steam. Like other ODS alloys, the two alloys showed a significant increase of the mas gains at T~ 1380 C compared with ~1480 C for wrought alloys of similar composition. The beneficial effect of Yttrium for wrought FeCrAl does not seem effective for most ODS FeCrAl alloys. Characterization of the hardness of annealed specimens revealed that the microstructure of the two alloys was not stable above 1000 C. Concurrent radiation results suggested that Cr levels <15wt% are desirable and the creep and oxidation results from the 12Cr ODS alloys indicate that a lower Cr, high strength ODS alloy with a higher maximum use temperature could be achieved.« less

Pelvic floor function following ventral rectopexy versus STARR in the treatment of obstructed defecation.

PubMed

Altomare, D F; Picciariello, A; Memeo, R; Fanelli, M; Digennaro, R; Chetta, N; De Fazio, M

2018-04-01

Obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS), most commonly found in females, can be treated by a transanal or abdominal approach with good success rate. Nevertheless, patients may experience de novo or persisting pelvic floor dysfunctions after surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the functional outcome of stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) and ventral rectopexy (VRP) in a series of ODS patients. Forty-nine female patients who had surgery for ODS between 2006 and 2016 were retrospectively evaluated: 28 (median age 60 years, IQR 54-69 years) had VRP and 21 (median age 58 years, IQR 51-66 years) had STARR. ODS was scored with the ODS score while the overall pelvic floor function was assessed with the three axial perineal evaluation (TAPE) score. Quality-of-life was evaluated by the patient assessment of constipation quality-of-life (PAC-Qol) questionnaire administered preoperatively and after 1 year of follow-up. The preoperative median ODS score and TAPE score were comparable in both groups. After a median follow-up of 12 months (range 12-18 months), the median ODS score was 12 (range 10-20) in the STARR group and 9 (range 3-15) in the VRP one (p = 0.02), while the median TAPE score was 70.5 (IQR 60.6-77.3) in the former and 76.8 (IQR 70.2-89.7) in the latter (p = 0.01). Postoperatively the physical domain of the PAC-QoL score had a median value of 2.74 (IQR 1.7-3.75) in the STARR group compared to 1.5 (IQR 1-2.5) in the VRP group (p = 0.03). No major complications were recorded in either group. VRP and STARR can improve defecation in patients with ODS with minimal complications, but the overall pelvic wellness evaluated by the TAPE score improves significantly only after VRP, suggesting a better performance of VRP than STARR when overall pelvic floor function is concerned.

Preoperative ultrasonography and prediction of technical difficulties during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

PubMed

Daradkeh, S S; Suwan, Z; Abu-Khalaf, M

1998-01-01

A prospective study was carried out to investigate the value of preoperative ultrasound findings for predicting difficulties encountered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Altogether 160 consecutive patients with symptomatic gallbladder (GB) disease (130 females, 30 males) referred to the Jordan University Hospital were recruited for the purpose of this study. All patients underwent detailed ultrasound examination 24 hours prior to LC. The overall difficulty score (ODS), as a dependent variable, was based on the following operative parameters: duration of surgery, bleeding, dissection of Calot's triangle, dissection of gallbladder wall, adhesions, spillage of bile, spillage of stone, and difficulty of gallbladder extraction. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the significance of the following preoperative ultrasound variables (independent) for predicting the variation in the ODS: size of the GB, number of GB stones, size of stones, location of GB stones, thickness of GB wall, common bile duct (CBD) diameter, and liver size. Only thickness of GB wall and CBD diameter were found to be significant predictors of the variation in the ODS (adjusted R2 = 0.25). We conclude that the preoperative ultrasound examination is of value for predicting difficulties encountered during LC, but it is not the sole predictor.

Experimental occlusal disharmony - A promoting factor for anxiety in rats under chronic psychological stress.

PubMed

Tang, Xuan; Li, Jian; Jiang, Ting; Han, Shu-Hui; Yao, Dong-Yuan

2017-04-03

Clinically, patients under chronic psychological stress (PS) appear to be more susceptible to occlusal disharmony (OD) compared with those without PS. OD was proved to introduce anxiety-like stress. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to investigate whether OD would affect psychological stress-induced anxiety and its underlying mechanisms. Chronic PS was induced by a communication box, and OD was produced by bonding a 0.3mm-thick crown on the right maxillary first molar of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Sixty-seven rats were randomly divided into 8 groups: (A) chronic PS plus OD group (n=6); (B) chronic PS plus sham OD group (n=6); (C) chronic PS only group (n=6); (D) OD group (n=6); (E) sham OD group (n=6); (F) control group (n=6); (G) naive group (n=6); (H) foot-shock group (n=25). Open-field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze test (EPM) were conducted on the 7th, 21th, 35th day to measure the anxiety level of each group except naive and foot-shock group. In addition, corticosterone (CORT) level in serum, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-HT 2A receptor (5-HT 2A R) expressions in prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampal CA1 and dentate gyrus (DG) areas were measured on the 35th day to elucidate the mechanism(s) by which the exacerbation occurred. The significant differences in OFT and EPM tests on day 21 or day 35 between groups (p<0.01) indicated the successful establishment of animal model of PS or OD. And there was a significant increase in CORT concentration in serum (p<0.01), 5-HT expressions in PFC, hippocampal DG areas and 5-HT 2A R expressions in PFC, hippocampal CA1 areas (p<0.05) in group A, B, C, D compared with group F. Similar results were also found in group A, B, C, D when compared with group G (p<0.05) except 5-HT expression in DG area in group C and D (p>0.05), together with a gradual decrease in values of all the parameters mentioned above from group A to group G. The significant changes in exploratory behaviors, serum CORT concentration, 5-HT and 5-HT 2A R expressions induced by OD in rats with or without chronic PS, and more obvious alterations in rats with chronic PS, may indicate that OD may be a promoting factor for anxiety through both peripheral and central pathways via the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and 5-HT system. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Impact of HIV Subtype on Performance of the Limiting Antigen-Avidity Enzyme Immunoassay, the Bio-Rad Avidity Assay, and the BED Capture Immunoassay in Rakai, Uganda

PubMed Central

Longosz, Andrew F.; Serwadda, David; Nalugoda, Fred; Kigozi, Godfrey; Franco, Veronica; Gray, Ronald H.; Quinn, Thomas C.; Eshleman, Susan H.

2014-01-01

Abstract Previous studies demonstrated that individuals with subtype D HIV infection who had been infected for 2 or more years were frequently misclassified as assay positive using cross-sectional incidence assays. Samples from 510 subjects (212 subtype A, 298 subtype D) who were infected for 2.2 to 14.5 years (median 5.4 years) and were not virally suppressed were tested using an LAg-Avidity enzyme immunoassay (LAg-Avidity EIA), Bio-Rad Avidity assay, and BED capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA). The performance of these three assays was evaluated using various assay cutoff values [LAg-Avidity EIA: <1.0 OD-n and <2.0 OD-n; Bio-Rad Avidity assay: <40% avidity index (AI) and <80% AI; BED-CEIA: <0.8 OD-n]. The mean LAg-Avidity EIA result was higher for subtype A than D (4.54±0.95 vs. 3.86±1.26, p<0.001); the mean Bio-Rad Avidity assay result was higher for subtype A than D (88.9%±12.5% vs. 75.1±30.5, p<0.001); and the mean BED-CEIA result was similar for the two subtypes (2.2±1.2 OD-n for subtype A, 2.2±1.3 OD-n for subtype D, p<0.9). The frequency of misclassification was higher for individuals with subtype D infection compared to those with subtype A infection, using either the LAg-Avidity EIA with a cutoff of <2.0 OD-n or the Bio-Rad Avidity assay with cutoffs of <40% or <80% AI. No subtype-specific differences in assay performance were observed using the BED-CEIA. Sex and age were not significantly associated with misclassification by any assay. The LAg-Avidity EIA with a cutoff <1.0 OD-n had the lowest frequency of misclassification in this Ugandan population. PMID:24083837

Microstructure and Mechanical Property of 12Cr Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Haijian; Lu, Zheng; Jia, Chunyan; Gao, Hao; Liu, Chunming

2016-03-01

Nanostructured oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels with nominal compositions (wt%): Fe-12Cr-2W-0.3Ti-0.3Y2O3 were produced by mechanical alloying and hot isostatic pressing. The microstructure was characterized by means of electron microscopy (EBSD, TEM and HRTEM) and the hardness and the tensile properties at different temperatures were measured. The results showed that the ultimate tensile strength of the fabricated 12Cr-ODS steel reached nearly 1,100 MPa at room temperature and maintained around 340 MPa at 700°C. Nano-oxide particles with size ranging from several nm to 30 nm and the number density was 3.6 × 1020/m3 were observed by TEM. Following heat treatment, including normalizing at 1,100°C for 1 h and tempering at 750°C for 2 h, the average grain size was a little decreased. The number of nano-oxide particles increased and the number density was 8.9 × 1020/m3. Specimens showed much higher ductility and there was a slight increase of ultimate tensile strength and Vickers hardness at the same time.

Temporal and spatial patterns of serologic responses to Plasmodium falciparum antigens in a region of declining malaria transmission in southern Zambia.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Tamaki; Chishimba, Sandra; Shields, Timothy; Hamapumbu, Harry; Mharakurwa, Sungano; Thuma, Philip E; Glass, Gregory; Moss, William J

2012-12-31

Critical to sustaining progress in malaria control is comprehensive surveillance to identify outbreaks and prevent resurgence. Serologic responses to Plasmodium falciparum antigens can serve as a marker of recent transmission and serosurveillance may be feasible on a large scale. Satellite images were used to construct a sampling frame for the random selection of households enrolled in prospective longitudinal and cross-sectional surveys in two study areas in Southern Province, Zambia, one in 2007 and the other in 2008 and 2009. Blood was collected and stored as dried spots from participating household members. A malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) was used to diagnose malaria. An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was used to detect IgG antibodies to asexual stage P. falciparum whole parasite lysate using serum eluted from dried blood spots. The expected mean annual increase in optical density (OD) value for individuals with a documented prior history of recent malaria was determined using mixed models. SatScan was used to determine the spatial clustering of households with individuals with serological evidence of recent malaria, and these households were plotted on a malaria risk map. RDT positivity differed markedly between the study areas and years: 28% of participants for whom serologic data were available were RDT positive in the 2007 study area, compared to 8.1% and 1.4% in the 2008 and 2009 study area, respectively. Baseline antibody levels were measured in 234 participants between April and July 2007, 435 participants between February and December 2008, and 855 participants between January and December 2009. As expected, the proportion of seropositive individuals increased with age in each year. In a subset of participants followed longitudinally, RDT positivity at the prior visit was positively correlated with an increase in EIA OD values after adjusting for age in 2007 (0.261, p = 0.003) and in 2008 (0.116, p = 0.03). RDT positivity at the concurrent visit also was associated with an increase in EIA OD value in 2007 (mean increase 0.177, p = 0.002) but not in 2008 (-0.063, p =0.50). Households comprised of individuals with serologic evidence of recent malaria overlapped areas of high malaria risk for serologic data from 2009, when parasite prevalence was lowest. Serological surveys to whole asexual P. falciparum antigens using blood collected as dried blood spots can be used to detect temporal and spatial patterns of malaria transmission in a region of declining malaria burden, and have the potential to identify focal areas of recent transmission.

C-Terminal residues in small potassium channel blockers OdK1 and OSK3 from scorpion venom fine-tune the selectivity.

PubMed

Kuzmenkov, Alexey I; Peigneur, Steve; Chugunov, Anton O; Tabakmakher, Valentin M; Efremov, Roman G; Tytgat, Jan; Grishin, Eugene V; Vassilevski, Alexander A

2017-05-01

We report isolation, sequencing, and electrophysiological characterization of OSK3 (α-KTx 8.8 in Kalium and Uniprot databases), a potassium channel blocker from the scorpion Orthochirus scrobiculosus venom. Using the voltage clamp technique, OSK3 was tested on a wide panel of 11 voltage-gated potassium channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and was found to potently inhibit Kv1.2 and Kv1.3 with IC 50 values of ~331nM and ~503nM, respectively. OdK1 produced by the scorpion Odontobuthus doriae differs by just two C-terminal residues from OSK3, but shows marked preference to Kv1.2. Based on the charybdotoxin-potassium channel complex crystal structure, a model was built to explain the role of the variable residues in OdK1 and OSK3 selectivity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of terahertz laser diagnostics for electron density measurements.

PubMed

Kawahata, K; Akiyama, T; Tanaka, K; Nakayama, K; Okajima, S

2008-10-01

A two color laser interferometer using terahertz laser sources is under development for high performance operation on the large helical device and for future burning plasma experiments such as ITER. Through investigation of terahertz laser sources, we have achieved high power simultaneous oscillations at 57.2 and 47.6 microm of a CH(3)OD laser pumped by a cw 9R(8) CO(2) laser line. The laser wavelength around 50 microm is the optimum value for future fusion devices from the consideration of the beam refraction effect and signal-to-noise ratio for an expected phase shift due to plasma. In this article, recent progress of the terahertz laser diagnostics, especially in mechanical vibration compensation by using a two color laser operation and terahertz laser beam transmission through a dielectric waveguide, will be presented.

A Study on Formation and Thermal Stability of Nano-sized Oxide Clusters in Mechanically Alloyed Nickel Aluminum for High Temperature Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Yong-Deog

The intermetallic compound, B2 NiAl, is a promising material for high temperature structural applications such as in aviation jet engines or gas turbines, provided that its high temperature mechanical properties can be improved. Although extensive efforts over the last several decades have been devoted toward enhancing ductility through alloying design and reducing impurities, as well as improving high temperature creep strength through precipitation and dispersion strengthening, these efforts have relied on traditional approaches, a combination of large grain size to limit diffusional creep and precipitation/dispersion (50 ˜ 100 nm size) strengthening to limit dislocation creep, for high temperature strengthening. While traditional approaches have shown a good improvement from a relatively high temperature strengthening point of view, the size and number density of dispersoids were not able to provide sufficient strength in the high temperature creep regime. Furthermore, details of the interaction mechanism between dislocations and dispersoids are not yet well understood. This study focuses on designing and developing advanced oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) NiAl intermetallics with improved high temperature creep strength by incorporating a high number density (˜1024 m-3) of very thermally stable Y-Ti-O nano-clusters, akin to those recently observed to improve creep strength and radiation resistance in nano-structured ferritic alloys. Advanced ODS NiAl alloys have been produced by mechanical alloying of pre-alloyed Ni-50at%Al with Y2O3 and Ti elemental powders. The milled powders were subsequently consolidated by spark plasma sintering, with the objective of producing very high number densities of nano-sized Y-Ti-O precipitates, along with fine grain size. Advanced experimental characterization techniques, combined with microhardness strength measurement, were used to investigate the material microstructure and strength following processing and to evaluate the thermal stability during an extensive matrix of long-term thermal annealing. In particular, the size, number density and composition of nano-clusters were assessed. While improvements in strength were obtained in the advanced NiAl ODS alloys, and the higher strength persisted through thermal annealing for 100 hrs at 1723K, characterization revealed the presence of Al in the oxide precipitate phases. The Al incorporation is believed detrimental to the formation of a high density of thermally stable Y-Ti-O nanoscale precipitates.

Fiber type-specific muscle glycogen sparing due to carbohydrate intake before and during exercise.

PubMed

De Bock, K; Derave, W; Ramaekers, M; Richter, E A; Hespel, P

2007-01-01

The effect of carbohydrate intake before and during exercise on muscle glycogen content was investigated. According to a randomized crossover study design, eight young healthy volunteers (n = 8) participated in two experimental sessions with an interval of 3 wk. In each session subjects performed 2 h of constant-load bicycle exercise ( approximately 75% maximal oxygen uptake). On one occasion (CHO), they received carbohydrates before ( approximately 150 g) and during (1 g.kg body weight(-1).h(-1)) exercise. On the other occasion they exercised after an overnight fast (F). Fiber type-specific relative glycogen content was determined by periodic acid Schiff staining combined with immunofluorescence in needle biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle before and immediately after exercise. Preexercise glycogen content was higher in type IIa fibers [9.1 +/- 1 x 10(-2) optical density (OD)/microm(2)] than in type I fibers (8.0 +/- 1 x 10(-2) OD/microm(2); P < 0.0001). Type IIa fiber glycogen content decreased during F from 9.6 +/- 1 x 10(-2) OD/microm(2) to 4.5 +/- 1 x 10(-2) OD/microm(2) (P = 0.001), but it did not significantly change during CHO (P = 0.29). Conversely, in type I fibers during CHO and F the exercise bout decreased glycogen content to the same degree. We conclude that the combination of carbohydrate intake both before and during moderate- to high-intensity endurance exercise results in glycogen sparing in type IIa muscle fibers.

Organization Development-What Is It? A Brief Overview.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hiett, Alyson D.; And Others

1989-01-01

Provides basic knowledge about organizational development (OD). Includes basic strategies of OD; definitions and themes of OD interventions; major types of OD interventions; errors in systems approach to OD; and role of OD consultant. (Author/ABL)

Latest Pleistocene to Holocene hydroclimates from Lake Elsinore, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirby, Matthew E.; Feakins, Sarah J.; Bonuso, Nicole; Fantozzi, Joanna M.; Hiner, Christine A.

2013-09-01

The hydroclimate of the southwestern United States (US) region changed abruptly during the latest Pleistocene as the continental ice sheets over North America retreated from their most southerly extent. To investigate the nature of this change, we present a new record from Lake Elsinore, located 36 km inland from the Pacific Ocean in Southern California and evaluate it in the context of records across the coastal and interior southwest United States, including northwest Mexico. The sediment core recovered from Lake Elsinore provides a continuous sequence with multi-decadal resolution spanning 19-9 ka BP. Sedimentological and geochemical analyses reveal hydrologic variability. In particular, sand and carbonate components indicate abrupt changes at the Oldest Dryas (OD), Bølling-Allerød (BA), and Younger Dryas (YD) transitions, consistent with the timing in Greenland. Hydrogen isotope analyses of the C28n-alkanoic acids from plant leaf waxes (δDwax) reveal a long term trend toward less negative values across 19-9 ka BP. δDwax values during the OD suggest a North Pacific moisture source for precipitation, consistent with the dipping westerlies hypothesis. We find no isotopic evidence for the North American Monsoon reaching as far west as Lake Elsinore; therefore, we infer that wet/dry changes in the coastal southwest were expressed through winter-season precipitation, consistent with modern climatology. Comparing Lake Elsinore to other southwest records (notably Cave of Bells and Fort Stanton) we find coincident timing of the major transitions (OD to BA, BA to YD) and hydrologic responses during the OD and BA. The hydrologic response, however, varied during the YD consistent with a dipole between the coastal and interior southwest. The coherent pattern of hydrologic responses across the interior southwest US and northwest Mexico during the OD (wet), the BA (drier), and YD (wet) follows changes in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, presumably via its combined influence on North Pacific winter storm tracks and the extent/magnitude of the North American Monsoon. In contrast, Lake Elsinore and the coastal southwest experiences a deglacial drying trend punctuated by abrupt change at the OD to BA and BA to YD transitions. This trend tracks rising greenhouse gases through the deglacial, with an apparent southward shift in westerly moisture sources adjusting to the retreating ice sheet.

The Total Ozone Series of Arosa: History, Homogenization and new results using statistical extreme value theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Staehelin, J.; Rieder, H. E.; Maeder, J. A.; Ribatet, M.; Davison, A. C.; Stübi, R.

2009-04-01

Atmospheric ozone protects the biota living at the Earth's surface from harmful solar UV-B and UV-C radiation. The global ozone shield is expected to gradually recover from the anthropogenic disturbance of ozone depleting substances (ODS) in the coming decades. The stratospheric ozone layer at extratropics might significantly increase above the thickness of the chemically undisturbed atmosphere which might enhance ozone concentrations at the tropopause altitude where ozone is an important greenhouse gas. At Arosa, a resort village in the Swiss Alps, total ozone measurements started in 1926 leading to the longest total ozone series of the world. One Fery spectrograph and seven Dobson spectrophotometers were operated at Arosa and the method used to homogenize the series will be presented. Due to its unique length the series allows studying total ozone in the chemically undisturbed as well as in the ODS loaded stratosphere. The series is particularly valuable to study natural variability in the period prior to 1970, when ODS started to affect stratospheric ozone. Concepts developed by extreme value statistics allow objective definitions of "ozone extreme high" and "ozone extreme low" values by fitting the (daily mean) time series using the Generalized Pareto Distribution (GPD). Extreme high ozone events can be attributed to effects of ElNino and/or NAO, whereas in the chemically disturbed stratosphere high frequencies of extreme low total ozone values simultaneously occur with periods of strong polar ozone depletion (identified by statistical modeling with Equivalent Stratospheric Chlorine times Volume of Stratospheric Polar Clouds) and volcanic eruptions (such as El Chichon and Pinatubo).

Bacterial methylmercury degradation in Florida Everglades peat sediment

USGS Publications Warehouse

Marvin-DiPasquale, M. C.; Oremland, R.S.

1998-01-01

Methylmercury (MeHg) degradation was investigated along an eutrophication gradient in the Florida Everglades by quantifying 14CH4 and 14CO2 production after incubation of anaerobic sediments with [14C]MeHg. Degradation rate constants (k) were consistently ???0.1 d-1 and decreased with sediment depth. Higher k values were observed when shorter incubation times and lower MeHg amendment levels were used, and k increased 2-fold as in-situ MeHg concentrations were approached. The average floc layer k was 0.046 ?? 0.023 d-1 (n = 17) for 1-2 day incubations. In-situ degradation rates were estimated to be 0.02-0.5 ng of MeHg (g of dry sediment)-1 d-1, increasing from eutrophied to pristine areas. Nitrate-respiring bacteria did not demethylate MeHg, and NO3- addition partially inhibited degradation in some cases. MeHg degradation rates were not affected by PO43- addition. 14CO2 production in all samples indicated that oxidative demethylation (OD) was an important degradation mechanism. OD occurred over 5 orders of magnitude of applied MeHg concentration, with lowest limits [1-18 ng of MeHg (g of dry sediment)-1] in the range of in-situ MeHg levels. Sulfate reducers and methanogens were the primary agents of anaerobic OD, although it is suggested that methanogens dominate degradation at in-situ MeHg concentrations. Specific pathways of OD by these two microbial groups are proposed.Methylmercury (MeHg) degradation was investigated along an eutrophication gradient in the Florida Everglades by quantifying 14CH4 and 14CO2 production after incubation of anaerobic sediments with [14C]MeHg. Degradation rate constants (k) were consistently ???0.1 d-1 and decreased with sediment depth. Higher k values were observed when shorter incubation times and lower MeHg amendment levels were used, and k increased 2-fold as in-situ MeHg concentrations were approached. The average floc layer k was 0.046??0.023 d-1 (n = 17) for 1-2 day incubations. In-situ degradation rates were estimated to be 0.02-0.5 ng of MeHg (g of dry sediment)-1 d-1, increasing from eutrophied to pristine areas. Nitrate-respiring bacteria did not demethylate MeHg, and NO3- addition partially inhibited degradation in some cases. MeHg degradation rates were not affected by PO43- addition. 14CO2 production in all samples indicated that oxidative demethylation (OD) was an important degradation mechanism. OD occurred over 5 orders of magnitude of applied MeHg concentration, with lowest limits [1-18 ng of MeHg (g of dry sediment)-1] in the range of in-situ MeHg levels. Sulfate reducers and methanogens were the primary agents of anaerobic OD, although it is suggested that methanogens dominate degradation at in-situ MeHg concentrations. Specific pathways of OD by these two microbial groups are proposed.

Effect of pressure on the selectivity of polymeric C18 and C30 stationary phases in reversed-phase liquid chromatography. Increased separation of isomeric fatty acid methyl esters, triacylglycerols, and tocopherols at high pressure.

PubMed

Okusa, Kensuke; Iwasaki, Yuki; Kuroda, Ikuma; Miwa, Shohei; Ohira, Masayoshi; Nagai, Toshiharu; Mizobe, Hoyo; Gotoh, Naohiro; Ikegami, Tohru; McCalley, David V; Tanaka, Nobuo

2014-04-25

A high-density, polymeric C18 stationary phase (Inertsil ODS-P) or a polymeric C30 phase (Inertsil C30) provided improved resolution of the isomeric fatty acids (FAs), FA methyl esters (FAMEs), triacylglycerols (TAGs), and tocopherols with an increase in pressure of 20-70MPa in reversed-phase HPLC. With respect to isomeric C18 FAMEs with one cis-double bond, ODS-P phase was effective for recognizing the position of a double bond among petroselinic (methyl 6Z-octadecenoate), oleic (methyl 9Z-octadecenoate), and cis-vaccenic (methyl 11Z-octadecenoate), especially at high pressure, but the differentiation between oleic and cis-vaccenic was not achieved by C30 phase regardless of the pressure. A monomeric C18 phase (InertSustain C18) was not effective for recognizing the position of the double bond in monounsaturated FAME, while the separation of cis- and trans-isomers was achieved by any of the stationary phases. The ODS-P and C30 phases provided increased separation for TAGs and β- and γ-tocopherols at high pressure. The transfer of FA, FAME, or TAG molecules from the mobile phase to the ODS-P stationary phase was accompanied by large volume reduction (-30∼-90mL/mol) resulting in a large increase in retention (up to 100% for an increase of 50MPa) and improved isomer separation at high pressure. For some isomer pairs, the ODS-P and C30 provided the opposite elution order, and in each case higher pressure improved the separation. The two stationary phases showed selectivity for the isomers having rigid structures, but only the ODS-P was effective for differentiating the position of a double bond in monounsaturated FAMEs. The results indicate that the improved isomer separation was provided by the increased dispersion interactions between the solute and the binding site of the stationary phase at high pressure. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Comparative Study of Welded ODS Cladding materials for AFCI/GNEP Applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Indrajit Charit; Megan Frary; Darryl Butt

2011-03-31

This research project involved working on the pressure resistance welding of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys which will have a large role to play in advanced nuclear reactors. The project also demonstrated the research collaboration between four universities and one nation laboratory (Idaho National Laboratory) with participation from an industry for developing for ODS alloys. These alloys contain a high number density of very fine oxide particles that can impart high temperature strength and radiation damage resistance suitable for in-core applications in advanced reactors. The conventional fusion welding techniques tend to produce porosity-laden microstructure in the weld region and leadmore » to the agglomeration and non-uniform distribution of the neededoxide particles. That is why two solid state welding methods - pressure resistance welding (PRW) and friction stir welding (FSW) - were chosen to be evaluated in this project. The proposal is expected to support the development of Advanced Burner Reactors (ABR) under the GNEP program (now incorporated in Fuel Cycle R&D program). The outcomes of the concluded research include training of graduate and undergraduate students and get them interested in nuclear related research.« less

Demonstration of spatial-light-modulation-based four-wave mixing in cold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Juo, Jz-Yuan; Lin, Jia-Kang; Cheng, Chin-Yao; Liu, Zi-Yu; Yu, Ite A.; Chen, Yong-Fan

2018-05-01

Long-distance quantum optical communications usually require efficient wave-mixing processes to convert the wavelengths of single photons. Many quantum applications based on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) have been proposed and demonstrated at the single-photon level, such as quantum memories, all-optical transistors, and cross-phase modulations. However, EIT-based four-wave mixing (FWM) in a resonant double-Λ configuration has a maximum conversion efficiency (CE) of 25% because of absorptive loss due to spontaneous emission. An improved scheme using spatially modulated intensities of two control fields has been theoretically proposed to overcome this conversion limit. In this study, we first demonstrate wavelength conversion from 780 to 795 nm with a 43% CE by using this scheme at an optical density (OD) of 19 in cold 87Rb atoms. According to the theoretical model, the CE in the proposed scheme can further increase to 96% at an OD of 240 under ideal conditions, thereby attaining an identical CE to that of the previous nonresonant double-Λ scheme at half the OD. This spatial-light-modulation-based FWM scheme can achieve a near-unity CE, thus providing an easy method of implementing an efficient quantum wavelength converter for all-optical quantum information processing.

Single-dilution enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantification of antigen-specific salmonid antibody

USGS Publications Warehouse

Alcorn, S.W.; Pascho, R.J.

2000-01-01

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed on the basis of testing a single dilution of serum to quantify the level of antibody to the p57 protein of Renibaclerium salmoninarum in sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). The levels of antibody were interpolated from a standard curve constructed by relating the optical densities (OD) produced by several dilutions of a high-titer rainbow trout (O. mykiss) antiserum to the p57 protein. The ELISA OD values produced by as many as 36 test sera on each microplate were compared with the standard curve to calculate the antigen-specific antibody activity. Repeated measurements of 36 samples on 3 microplates on each of 6 assay dates indicated that the mean intraassay coefficient of variation (CV) was 6.68% (range, 0-23%) and the mean interassay CV was 8.29% (range, 4-16%). The antibody levels determined for the serum sample from 24 sockeye salmon vaccinated with a recombinant p57 protein generally were correlated with the levels determined by endpoint titration (r2 = 0.936) and with results from another ELISA that was based on extrapolation of antibody levels from a standard curve (r2 = 0.956). The single-dilution antibody ELISA described here increases the number of samples that can be tested on each microplate compared with immunoassays based on analysis of several dilutions of each test serum. It includes controls for interassay standardization and can be used to test fish weighing <3 g.

Metabolic Shift of Escherichia coli under Salt Stress in the Presence of Glycine Betaine

PubMed Central

Metris, A.; George, S. M.; Mulholland, F.; Carter, A. T.

2014-01-01

An important area of food safety focuses on bacterial survival and growth in unfavorable environments. In order to understand how bacteria adapt to stresses other than nutrient limitation in batch cultures, we need to develop mechanistic models of intracellular regulation and metabolism under stress. We studied the growth of Escherichia coli in minimal medium with added salt and different osmoprotectants. To characterize the metabolic efficiency with a robust parameter, we identified the optical density (OD) values at the inflection points of measured “OD versus time” growth curves and described them as a function of glucose concentration. We found that the metabolic efficiency parameter did not necessarily follow the trend of decreasing specific growth rate as the salt concentration increased. In the absence of osmoprotectant, or in the presence of proline, the metabolic efficiency decreased with increasing NaCl concentration. However, in the presence of choline or glycine betaine, it increased between 2 and 4.5% NaCl before declining at 5% NaCl and above. Microarray analysis of the transcriptional network and proteomics analysis with glycine betaine in the medium indicated that between 4.5 and 5% NaCl, the metabolism switched from aerobic to fermentative pathways and that the response to osmotic stress is similar to that for oxidative stress. We conclude that, although the growth rate appeared to decrease smoothly with increasing NaCl, the metabolic strategy of cells changed abruptly at a threshold concentration of NaCl. PMID:24858086

Spatio-Temporal Characteristics of Resident Trip Based on Poi and OD Data of Float CAR in Beijing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mou, N.; Li, J.; Zhang, L.; Liu, W.; Xu, Y.

2017-09-01

Due to the influence of the urban inherent regional functional distribution, the daily activities of the residents presented some spatio-temporal patterns (periodic patterns, gathering patterns, etc.). In order to further understand the spatial and temporal characteristics of urban residents, this paper research takes the taxi trajectory data of Beijing as a sample data and studies the spatio-temporal characteristics of the residents' activities on the weekdays. At first, according to the characteristics of the taxi trajectory data distributed along the road network, it takes the Voronoi generated by the road nodes as the research unit. This paper proposes a hybrid clustering method - based on grid density, which is used to cluster the OD (origin and destination) data of taxi at different times. Then combining with the POI data of Beijing, this research calculated the density of the POI data in the clustering results, and analyzed the relationship between the activities of residents in different periods and the functional types of the region. The final results showed that the residents were mainly commuting on weekdays. And it found that the distribution of travel density showed a concentric circle of the characteristics, focusing on residential areas and work areas. The results of cluster analysis and POI analysis showed that the residents' travel had experienced the process of "spatial relative dispersion - spatial aggregation - spatial relative dispersion" in one day.

Organizational Development: The Role of Communication in Diagnosis, Change, and Evaluation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hain, Tony; Tubbs, Stewart L.

Three key considerations (What is organizational development (OD)? Why do organizations undertake OD efforts? What are the critical phases (and their pitfalls) that make up the OD effort?) are discussed in this paper. The sections include: "What is OD," which presents three definitions of OD and the goals of OD as identified by Bennis; "Why Do…

Expression and stereochemical and isotope effect studies of active 4-oxalocrotonate decarboxylase.

PubMed

Stanley, T M; Johnson, W H; Burks, E A; Whitman, C P; Hwang, C C; Cook, P F

2000-02-01

4-Oxalocrotonate decarboxylase (4-OD) and vinylpyruvate hydratase (VPH) from Pseudomonas putida mt-2 form a complex that converts 2-oxo-3-hexenedioate to 2-oxo-4-hydroxypentanoate in the catechol meta fission pathway. To facilitate mechanistic and structural studies of the complex, the two enzymes have been coexpressed and the complex has been purified to homogeneity. In addition, Glu-106, a potential catalytic residue in VPH, has been changed to glutamine, and the resulting E106QVPH mutant has been coexpressed with 4-OD and purified to homogeneity. The 4-OD/E106QVPH complex retains full decarboxylase activity, with comparable kinetic parameters to those observed for 4-OD in the wild-type complex, but is devoid of any detectable hydratase activity. Decarboxylation of (5S)-2-oxo-3-[5-D]hexenedioate by either the 4-OD/VPH complex or the mutant complex generates 2-hydroxy-2,4E-[5-D]pentadienoate in D(2)O. Ketonization of 2-hydroxy-2,4-pentadienoate by the wild-type complex is highly stereoselective and results in the formation of 2-oxo-(3S)-[3-D]-4-pentenoate, while the mutant complex generates a racemic mixture. These results indicate that 2-hydroxy-2, 4-pentadienoate is the product of 4-OD and that 2-oxo-4-pentenoate results from a VPH-catalyzed process. On this basis, the previously proposed hypothesis for the conversion of 2-oxo-3-hexenedioate to 2-oxo-4-hydroxypentanoate has been revised [Lian, H., and Whitman, C. P. (1994) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 116, 10403-10411]. Finally, the observed (13)C kinetic isotope effect on the decarboxylation of 2-oxo-3-hexenedioate by the 4-OD/VPH complex suggests that the decarboxylation step is nearly rate-limiting. Because the value is not sensitive to either magnesium or manganese, it is likely that the transition state for carbon-carbon bond cleavage is late and that the metal positions the substrate and polarizes the carbonyl group, analogous to its role in oxalacetate decarboxylase.

Comparison of the prognostic value of liver biopsy and FIB-4 index in patients coinfected with HIV and hepatitis C virus.

PubMed

Berenguer, Juan; Zamora, Francisco X; Aldámiz-Echevarría, Teresa; Von Wichmann, Miguel A; Crespo, Manel; López-Aldeguer, José; Carrero, Ana; Montes, Marisa; Quereda, Carmen; Téllez, María J; Galindo, María J; Sanz, José; Santos, Ignacio; Guardiola, Josep M; Barros, Carlos; Ortega, Enrique; Pulido, Federico; Rubio, Rafael; Mallolas, Josep; Tural, Cristina; Jusdado, Juan J; Pérez, Gloria; Díez, Cristina; Álvarez-Pellicer, Julio; Esteban, Herminia; Bellón, José M; González-García, Juan

2015-03-15

We compared the prognostic value of liver biopsy (LB) and FIB-4 index in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection. We studied patients from the Grupo de Estudio del SIDA 3603 study cohort, in whom fibrosis was evaluated at baseline using both LB (Metavir score) and FIB-4 index. We assessed overall death (OD) and liver-related events (LREs), defined as decompensation or hepatocellular carcinoma, whichever occurred first. We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to determine the ability of LB and FIB-4 to predict outcomes. We also assessed the association between advanced fibrosis-LB (F3 or greater) or FIB-4 (≥3.25)-and outcomes using multivariate Cox regression analysis. The study sample comprised 903 patients (328 with sustained virologic response [SVR]). Baseline fibrosis by LB was as follows: F0, n = 71; F1, n = 242; F2, n = 236; F3, n = 236; F4, n = 118. Fibrosis by FIB-4 was as follows: ≤1, n = 148; >1 to <3.25, n = 597; ≥3.25, n = 158. After a median follow-up of 62 months, there were 46 deaths and 71 LREs. The area under the ROC curves for OD/LREs was 0.648 and 0.742 for LB and FIB-4, respectively (P = .006). Similar results were found for patients without SVR and for OD and LREs separately. The adjusted hazard ratios of OD or LRE were 1.740 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.119-2.7.06; P = .014) for advanced fibrosis assessed by LB and 3.896 (95% CI, 2.463-6.160; P < .001) assessed by FIB-4. FIB-4 outperformed LB as a predictor of OD and LRE. These findings are of relevance for clinical practice and research and call into question the role of LB as a gold standard for assessing prognosis in HIV/HCV coinfection. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Shipping coal to Newcastle: are SRIC populus plantations a viable fiber production option for the central hardwoods region?

Treesearch

C.H. Strauss

1991-01-01

Production costs for short rotation, intensive culture (SRIC) Populus biomass were developed from commercial-sized plantations under investigation throughout the eastern U.S. Populus hybrid planted on good quality plantation sites at a density of 850 cuttings/acre was projected to yield an average of 7 ovendry (OD) tons/acre/year....

An economical 20 litre bench-top fermenter.

PubMed

Thiel, Michael A; Coster, Douglas J; Mavrangelos, Christos; Zola, Heddy; Williams, Keryn A

2002-10-01

We describe an economical 20 litre bench-top fermenter suitable for production of recombinant antibody fragments in bacterial expression systems. The bacterial culture contained within a polycarbonate carboy is mixed (400-600 rpm) and aerated (1 vessel vol./min) by a high-shear radial flow impeller mounted on a hollow stainless steel shaft, through which pressurised air is pumped. Air is dispersed as fine bubbles into the culture medium by the turbine impeller, without the need for a porous sparger. A stainless steel baffle stabilised by a gliding counterweight increases mixing. The components can easily be disassembled for cleaning and sterilisation. Temperature (range 20-37 degrees C) and pH (range 7.0-7.5) are controlled manually. Using the apparatus, it proved possible to achieve Escherichia coli cell culture densities equivalent to an optical density at 600 nm (OD(600)) of 30-32, compared with OD(600) 4-6 in shake flasks. A yield of 40 mg/litre/day of a recombinant antibody fragment was obtained with the fermenter, which was 15-fold more than the yield of 2.5mg/litre/day achieved in shake flasks. The fermenter may be particularly suited for research purposes.

The role of yttrium and titanium during the development of ODS ferritic steels obtained through the STARS route: TEM and XAS study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ordás, Nerea; Gil, Emma; Cintins, Arturs; de Castro, Vanessa; Leguey, Teresa; Iturriza, Iñigo; Purans, Juris; Anspoks, Andris; Kuzmin, Alexei; Kalinko, Alexandr

2018-06-01

Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Ferritic Steels (ODS FS) are candidate materials for structural components in future fusion reactors. Their high strength and creep resistance at elevated temperatures and their good resistance to neutron radiation damage is obtained through extremely fine microstructures containing a high density of nanometric precipitates, generally yttrium and titanium oxides. This work shows transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) characterization of Fe-14Cr-2W-0.3Ti-0.24Y ODS FS obtained by the STARS route (Surface Treatment of gas Atomized powder followed by Reactive Synthesis), an alternative method to obtain ODS alloys that avoids the mechanical alloying to introduce Y2O3 powder particles. In this route, FS powders already containing Ti and Y, precursors of the nanometric oxides, are obtained by gas atomization. Then, a metastable Cr- and Fe-rich oxide layer is formed on the surface of the powder particles. During consolidation by HIP at elevated temperatures, and post-HIP heat treatments above the HIP temperature, this oxide layer at Prior Particle Boundaries (PPBs) dissociates, the oxygen diffuses, and Y-Ti-O nano-oxides precipitate in the ferritic matrix. TEM characterization combined with XAFS and XANES analyses have proven to be suitable tools to follow the evolution of the nature of the different oxides present in the material during the whole processing route and select appropriate HIP and post-HIP parameters to promote profuse and fine Y-Ti-O nanometric precipitates.

The Practice of Organization Development.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vaill, Peter B.

An article about the men who are doing organization Development (O.D.) work is presented. It is divided into the following sections: (1) The Elements of O.D. Practice; (2) Interrelationships of the Elements of O.D. Practice; (3) Sources of Data on O.D. Practice; (4) The O.D. Practitioner and the Client; (5) The O.D. Practitioner and the Evaluator;…

46 CFR 280.9 - Special rules for last year of ODS agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Special rules for last year of ODS agreement. 280.9... LINER OPERATORS § 280.9 Special rules for last year of ODS agreement. (a) Reduction in payment of ODS. ODS payable during the last year of any ODS agreement shall be reduced, as provided in paragraph (b...

High-level conversion of L-lysine into 5-aminovalerate that can be used for nylon 6,5 synthesis.

PubMed

Park, Si Jae; Oh, Young Hoon; Noh, Won; Kim, Hye Young; Shin, Jae Ho; Lee, Eun Gyo; Lee, Seungwoon; David, Yokimiko; Baylon, Mary Grace; Song, Bong Keun; Jegal, Jonggeon; Lee, Sang Yup; Lee, Seung Hwan

2014-10-01

L-Lysine is a potential feedstock for the production of bio-based precursors for engineering plastics. In this study, we developed a microbial process for high-level conversion of L-lysine into 5-aminovalerate (5AVA) that can be used as a monomer in nylon 6,5 synthesis. Recombinant Escherichia coli WL3110 strain expressing Pseudomonas putida delta-aminovaleramidase (DavA) and lysine 2-monooxygenase (DavB) was grown to high density in fed-batch culture and used as a whole cell catalyst. High-density E. coli WL3110 expressing DavAB, grown to an optical density at 600 nm (OD600 ) of 30, yielded 36.51 g/L 5AVA from 60 g/L L-lysine in 24 h. Doubling the cell density of E. coli WL3110 improved the conversion yield to 47.96 g/L 5AVA from 60 g/L of L-lysine in 24 h. 5AVA production was further improved by doubling the L-lysine concentration from 60 to 120 g/L. The highest 5AVA titer (90.59 g/L; molar yield 0.942) was obtained from 120 g/L L-lysine by E. coli WL3110 cells grown to OD600 of 60. Finally, nylon 6,5 was synthesized by bulk polymerization of ϵ-caprolactam and δ-valerolactam prepared from microbially synthesized 5AVA. The hybrid system demonstrated here has promising possibilities for application in the development of industrial bio-nylon production processes. Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Bilateral Symmetry before and Six Months after Aberration-Free™ Correction with the SCHWIND AMARIS TotalTech Laser: Clinical Outcomes

PubMed Central

Arbelaez, Maria Clara; Vidal, Camila; Arba-Mosquera, Samuel

2010-01-01

Purpose To compare the preoperative and postoperative bilateral symmetry between OD and OS eyes that have undergone femto-LASIK using the Ziemer LDV femtosecond laser system, the SCHWIND AMARIS Excimer Laser and the Aberrationfree™ profiles implemented in the SCHWIND Custom Ablation Manager software. Methods A total of 25 LASIK patients were bilaterally evaluated at the six-month follow-up visit. In all cases standard examinations, pre- and postoperative analysis with corneal wavefront topography (OPTIKON Scout) were performed. Aberration-free™ aspheric treatments were devised using the Custom Ablation Manager software and ablations were performed by means of the SCHWIND AMARIS flying-spot excimer laser system (both SCHWIND eyetech- solutions). In all cases LASIK flaps were created using an LDV femtosecond laser (Ziemer Group). The OD/OS bilateral symmetry was evaluated in terms of corneal wavefront aberration. Results Preoperatively, 11 Zernike terms showed significant bilateral (OS-vs.-OD) symmetry, and only 6 Zernike terms were significantly different. Overall, 23 out of the 25 patients showed significant bilateral symmetry, and only 2 out of 25 patients showed significant differences. None of the aberration metrics changed from pre- to postoperative values by a clinically relevant amount. At the 6-month postoperative visit, 12 Zernike terms showed significant symmetry, and 8 terms were significantly different. Overall, 22 out of 25 patients showed significant bilateral symmetry (OS vs. OD), and only 3 out of 25 patients showed significant differences. Also, this postoperative examination revealed that 6 Zernike terms lost significant OS-vs.-OD symmetry, but 4 Zernike terms gained significant symmetry. Finally, 4 patients lost significant bilaterality, and 2 patients gained significant bilaterality: bilateral symmetry between eyes was better maintained in those patients with a clear preoperative bilateral symmetry. Conclusions Aberration-Free Treatments with the SCHWIND AMARIS did not induce clinically significant aberrations, maintained the global OD-vs.-OS bilateral symmetry, as well as the bilateral symmetry between corresponding Zernike terms (which influences binocular summation).

Optical Detection System Model.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-04-01

duration of the signal does not have to be a specific value: it can be a very large value. The ODS code will work on the signal in 1024 point...WAF:NING: 1HIS WILL SUFER ElE ANY EXILTING £EOUJENCE ,IT/Nl: Y .RUN WVINP THIS IS THE WAVE FORM SECTION. DO YOU WANT HELP? (Y/N): N ENTER WAVELENGTH (IN

Organization Development Strategies in Educational Policy Planning and Management.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, B. Kathryn; Biles, Stephen

1990-01-01

This synthesis reviews organizational development (OD) and its decision tools, describes OD applications in educational organizations, explores OD's limitations, and predicts how OD will influence future educational decision making. Findings identify eight specific management and planning areas where OD can be used to improve organizational…

Development of an indirect ELISA for detection of antibody to wobbly possum disease virus in archival sera of Australian brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand.

PubMed

Giles, J C; Johnson, W; Jones, G; Heuer, C; Dunowska, M

2018-07-01

To develop an indirect ELISA based on recombinant nucleocapsid (rN) protein of wobbly possum disease (WPD) virus for investigation of the presence of WPD virus in Australian brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand. Pre- and post-infection sera (n=15 and 16, respectively) obtained from a previous experimental challenge study were used for ELISA development. Sera were characterised as positive or negative for antibody to WPD virus based on western-blot using WPD virus rN protein as antigen. An additional 215 archival serum samples, collected between 2000-2016 from five different regions of New Zealand, were also tested using the ELISA. Bayesian modelling of corrected optical density at 450 nm (OD 450 ) results from the ELISA was used to obtain estimates of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to establish cut-off values for the ELISA, and to estimate the prevalence of antibody to WPD virus. Western blot analysis showed 5/14 (36%) pre-infection sera and 11/11 (100%) post-infection sera from experimentally infected possums were positive for antibodies to WPD virus. Bayesian estimates of the ROC curves established cut-off values of OD 450 ≥0.41 for samples positive, and OD 450 <0.28 for samples negative for antibody to WPD virus, for sera diluted 1:100 for the ELISA. Based on the model, the estimated proportion of samples with antibodies to WPD virus was 0.30 (95% probability interval=0.196-0.418). Of the 230 archival serum samples tested using the ELISA, 48 (20.9%) were positive for antibody to WPD virus, 155 (67.4%) were negative and 27 (11.7%) equivocal, using the established cut-off values. The proportion of samples positive for WPD virus antibody differed between geographical regions (p<0.001). The results suggested that WPD virus or a related virus has circulated among possums in New Zealand with differences in the proportion of antibody-positive samples from different geographical regions. Antibodies to WPD virus did not seem to protect possums from disease following experimental infection, as one third of possums from the previous challenge study showed evidence of pre-existing antibody at the time of challenge. These results provide further support for existence of different pathotypes of WPD virus, but the exact determinants of protection against WPD and epidemiology of infection in various regions of New Zealand remain to be established. Availability of the indirect ELISA for detection of WPD virus antibody will facilitate prospective epidemiological investigation of WPD virus circulation in wild possum populations in New Zealand.

M3FT-16OR0203052-Test Design for FeCrAl Alloy Tube Irradiation in HFIR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Terrani, Kurt A.; Petrie, Christian M.

2016-05-01

This calculation summarizes thermal analyses of a flexible rabbit design for irradiating a variety of pressurized water reactor (PWR) cladding materials (stainless steel, iron-chromium aluminum [FeCrAl], Zircaloy, and Inconel) with variable dimensions at a temperature of 350 °C in the flux trap of the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). The design can accommodate standard cladding for outer diameters (ODs) of approximately 9.50 mm with thickness ranging from 0.30 mm to 0.70 mm. The length is generally between 10 and 50 mm. The specimens contain moly inserts with a variable OD that provides the heat flux necessary to achieve the designmore » temperature with such a small fixed gas gap. The primary outer containment is an Al-6061 housing with a slightly enlarged inner diameter (ID) of 9.60 mm. The specimen temperature is controlled by determining a helium/argon gas mixture specific to the as-built specimen and housing. Variables that affect the required gas mixture are the cladding material (thermal expansion, density, heat generation rate), cladding OD, housing ID, and cladding ID. This calculation documents the analyses performed to determine required gas mixtures for a variety of scenarios.« less

Outdoor solar UVA dose assessment with EBT2 radiochromic film using spectrophotometer and densitometer measurements.

PubMed

Abukassem, I; Bero, M A

2015-04-01

Direct measurements of solar ultraviolet radiations (UVRs) have an important role in the protection of humans against UVR hazard. This work presents simple technique based on the application of EBT2 GAFCHROMIC(®) film for direct solar UVA dose assessment. It demonstrates the effects of different parts of the solar spectrum (UVB, visible and infrared) on performed UVA field measurements and presents the measurement uncertainty budget. The gradient of sunlight exposure level permitted the authors to establish the mathematical relationships between the measured solar UVA dose and two measured quantities: the first was the changes in spectral absorbance at the wavelength 633 nm (A633) and the second was the optical density (OD). The established standard relations were also applied to calculate the solar UVA dose variations during the whole day; 15 min of exposure each hour between 8:00 and 17:00 was recorded. Results show that both applied experimental methods, spectrophotometer absorbance and densitometer OD, deliver comparable figures for EBT2 solar UVA dose assessment with relative uncertainty of 11% for spectral absorbance measurements and 15% for OD measurements. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

TU-H-CAMPUS-TeP3-04: Probing the Dose Enhancement Due to a Clinically-Relevant Concentration of Gold Nanoparticles and Yb-169 Gamma Rays Using PRESAGE Dosimeters

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cho, J; Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK; Alqathami, M

Purpose: To probe physical evidences of the dose enhancement due to a low/clinically-relevant concentration of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and Yb-169 gamma rays using PRESAGE dosimeters. Methods: A PRESAGE cuvette was placed at approximately 2 mm above the plane containing three novel Yb-169 brachytherapy seeds (3.2, 3.2, and 5.3 mCi each). Two types of PRESAGE dosimeters were used – plain PRESAGEs (controls) and PRESAGEs loaded with 0.02 wt. % of GNPs (GNP-PRESAGEs). Each PRESAGE dosimeter was irradiated with different time durations (0 to 24 hours) to deliver 0, 4, 8, 16 and 24 Gy of dose. For a reference/comparison, both typesmore » of PRESAGEs were also irradiated using 250 kVp x-rays with/without Er-filter to deliver 0, 3, 10, and 30 Gy of dose. Er-filter was used to emulate Yb-169 spectrum using 250 kVp x-rays. The absorption spectra of PRESAGEs were measured using a UV spectrophotometer and used to determine the corresponding optical densities (ODs). Results: GNP-PRESAGEs exposed to Yb-169 sources showed ∼65% increase in ODs compared with controls. When exposed to Er-filtered and unfiltered 250 kVp x-rays, they produced smaller increases in ODs, ∼41% and ∼37%, respectively. There was a linear relationship between ODs and delivered doses with a goodness-of-fit (R2) greater than 0.99. Conclusion: A notable increase in the ODs (∼65%) was observed for GNP-PRESAGEs irradiated by Yb-169 gamma rays. Considering the observed OD increases, it was highly likely that Yb-169 gamma rays were more effective than both Er-filtered and unfiltered 250 kVp x-rays, in terms of producing the dose enhancement. Due to several unknown factors (e.g., possible difference in the dose response of GNP-PRESAGEs vs. PRESAGEs), however, a further investigations is necessary to establish the feasibility of quantifying the exact amount of macroscopic or microscopic/local GNP-mediated dose enhancement using PRESAGE or similar volumetric dosimeters. Supported by DOD/PCRP grant W81XWH-12-1-0198 This investigation was supported by DOD/PCRP grant W81XWH-12-1-0198.« less

Laser safety eyewear.

PubMed

1993-04-01

In spite of repeated warnings about laser safety practices, as well as the availability of laser safety eyewear (LSE), eye injuries continue to occur during use of surgical lasers, as discussed in the Clinical Perspective, "Laser Energy and Its Dangers to Eyes," preceding this Evaluation. We evaluated 48 models of LSE, including goggles, spectacles, and wraps, from 11 manufacturers. The evaluated models are designed with absorptive lenses that provide protection from CO2 (carbon dioxide), Nd:YAG (neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet), and 532 (frequency-doubled Nd:YAG) surgical laser wavelengths; several models provide multiwavelength protection. (Refer to ECRI's Product Comparison System report on LSE for specifications of other models.) Although most of the evaluated models can adequately protect users from laser energy--provided that the eyewear is used--many models of LSE, especially goggles, are designed with little regard for the needs of actual use (e.g., adequate labeling, no alteration of color perception, sufficient field of vision [FOV], comfort). Because these factors can discourage people from using LSE, we encourage manufacturers to develop new and improved models that will be worn. We based our ratings primarily on the laser protection provided by the optical density (OD) of the lenses; we acknowledge the contribution of Montana Laser Optics Inc., of Bozeman, Montana, in performing our OD testing. We also considered actual-use factors, such as those mentioned above, to be significant. Among the models rated Acceptable is one whose labeled OD is lower than the level we determined to be adequate for use during most laser surgery; however, this model offers protection under specific conditions of use (e.g., for use by spectators some distance from the surgical site, for use during endoscopic procedures) that should be determined by the laser safety officer (LSO). LSE that would put the wearer at risk are rated Unacceptable (e.g., some models are not properly or clearly labeled, have measured ODs that are not adequate for protection, or significantly restrict the wearer's FOV); also, LSE with side shields that do not offer adequate protection from diffuse laser energy are rated Unacceptable. Those models that offer adequate protection for surgical applications, but whose measured OD is less than their labeled OD, are rated Acceptable--Not Recommended; if the discrepancy is great, they are rated Unacceptable. Those models whose labels were removed during cleaning are rated Conditionally Acceptable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Nanocluster irradiation evolution in Fe-9%Cr ODS and ferritic-martensitic alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swenson, M. J.; Wharry, J. P.

2017-12-01

The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of dose rate and cascade morphology on nanocluster evolution in a model Fe-9%Cr oxide dispersion strengthened steel and the commercial ferritic/martensitic (F/M) alloys HCM12A and HT9. We present a large, systematic data set spanning the three alloys, three irradiating particle types, four orders of magnitude in dose rate, and doses ranging 1-100 displacements per atom over 400-500 °C. Nanoclusters are characterized using atom probe tomography. ODS oxide nanoclusters experience partial dissolution after irradiation due to inverse Ostwald ripening, while F/M nanoclusters undergo Ostwald ripening. Damage cascade morphology is indicative of nanocluster number density evolution. Finally, the effects of dose rate on nanocluster morphology provide evidence for a temperature dilation theory, which purports that a negative temperature shift is necessary for higher dose rate irradiations to emulate nanocluster evolution in lower dose rate irradiations.

A review of the irradiation evolution of dispersed oxide nanoparticles in the b.c.c. Fe-Cr system: Current understanding and future directions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wharry, Janelle P.; Swenson, Matthew J.; Yano, Kayla H.

2017-04-01

Thus far, a number of studies have investigated the irradiation evolution of oxide nanoparticles in b.c.c. Fe-Cr based oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys. But given the inconsistent experimental conditions, results have been widely variable and inconclusive. Crystal structure and chemistry changes differ from experiment to experiment, and the total nanoparticle volume fraction has been observed to both increase and decrease. Furthermore, there has not yet been a comprehensive review of the archival literature. In this paper, we summarize the existing studies on nanoparticle irradiation evolution. We note significant observations with respect to oxide nanoparticle crystallinity, composition, size, and number density. We discuss four possible contributing mechanisms for nanoparticle evolution: ballistic dissolution, Ostwald ripening, irradiation-enhanced diffusion, and homogeneous nucleation. Finally, we propose future directions to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of irradiation effects on oxide nanoparticles in ODS alloys.

Changing epidemiology of intentional antidepressant drug overdose in Victoria, Australia.

PubMed

Wong, Anselm; Taylor, David McD; Ashby, Karen; Robinson, Jeff

2010-08-01

To determine the epidemiology of intentional antidepressant drug overdose (OD), over an extended time period, in Victoria, Australia. Retrospective epidemiological study of all cases reported to the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD) January 1998 to December 2007 and calls to the Victorian Poisons Information Centre (VPIC) June 2005 to September 2008. 5467 VEMD cases were analysed. 3169 (57.9%) cases involved selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and 1149 (21%) involved tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Sertraline (1252, 22.9% cases) was the most common drug. During 2001, the peak year of OD, there were 8.8 OD/100 000 population in the SSRI group and 3.8 OD/100 000 population in the TCA group. Trends over the study period showed increasing SSRI and 'other' newer antidepressant prescription rates and decreases for TCA and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI). However, the risks of OD in all drug classes were similar and OD/100 000 prescriptions trended downwards for all drug classes over time. 1833 VPIC calls were analysed. Calls relating to SSRIs were the most common yet SSRI OD was associated with significantly fewer symptoms (p < 0.001) and fewer patients with Poisoning Severity Score classifications of moderate or severe (p < 0.01). Antidepressant OD patterns are changing. Antidepressant OD incidence is following prescribing trends. The risk of OD is similar for all drug classes. Absolute numbers of OD and OD/100 000 prescriptions are decreasing for all drug classes.

An Experimental and Master Equation Study of the Kinetics of OH/OD + SO2: The Limiting High-Pressure Rate Coefficients.

PubMed

Blitz, Mark A; Salter, Robert J; Heard, Dwayne E; Seakins, Paul W

2017-05-04

The kinetics of the reaction OH/OD + SO 2 were studied using a laser flash photolysis/laser-induced fluorescence technique. Evidence for two-photon photolysis of SO 2 at 248 nm is presented and quantified, and which appears to have been evident to some extent in most previous photolysis studies, potentially leading to values for the rate coefficient k 1 that are too large. The kinetics of the reaction OH(v = 0) + SO 2 (T = 295 K, p = 25-300 torr) were measured under conditions where SO 2 photolysis was taken into account. These results, together with literature data, were modeled using a master equation analysis. This analysis highlighted problems with the literature data: the rate coefficients derived from flash photolysis data were generally too high and from the flow tube data too low. Our best estimate of the high-pressure limiting rate coefficient k 1 ∞ was obtained from selected data and gives a value of (7.8 ± 2.2) × 10 -13 cm 3 molecule -1 s -1 , which is lower than that recommended in the literature. A parametrized form of k 1 ([N 2 ],T) is provided. The OD(v = 0) + SO 2 (T = 295 K, p = 25-300 torr) data are reported for the first time, and master equation analysis reinforces our assignment of k 1 ∞ .

46 CFR 282.20 - Amount of subsidy payable.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Rates. Daily ODS rates shall be used to quantify the amount of ODS payable. The daily ODS rate... items is the daily amount of ODS payable for approved vessel operating days, excluding reduced crew... the daily wage ODS rate to conform to the complement remaining on the vessel. The man-day reduction...

EU marketing authorization review of orphan and non-orphan drugs does not differ.

PubMed

Putzeist, M; Mantel-Teeuwisse, A K; Llinares, J; Gispen-De Wied, C C; Hoes, A W; Leufkens, H G M

2013-10-01

Marketing authorization application dossiers of 17 orphan drugs (ODs) and 51 non-ODs evaluated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the period 2009-2010 were compared. We aimed to identify whether any differences existed between ODs and non-ODs in number and type of deficits brought forward during the EMA review, regarding the clinical development plan, clinical outcome and medical need and studied whether these deficits were similarly associated with marketing approval in the EU. In 71% of the ODs dossiers and 65% of the non-ODs dossiers marketing approval was granted. Differences in deficits were found, but similarities in the way ODs and non-ODs were reviewed and marketing approval decisions were taken, underline that regulatory standards are equally high. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

4-Oxalocrotonate tautomerase, its homologue YwhB, and active vinylpyruvate hydratase: synthesis and evaluation of 2-fluoro substrate analogues.

PubMed

Johnson, William H; Wang, Susan C; Stanley, Thanuja M; Czerwinski, Robert M; Almrud, Jeffrey J; Poelarends, Gerrit J; Murzin, Alexey G; Whitman, Christian P

2004-08-17

A series of 2-fluoro-4-alkene and 2-fluoro-4-alkyne substrate analogues were synthesized and examined as potential inhibitors of three enzymes: 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase (4-OT) and vinylpyruvate hydratase (VPH) from the catechol meta-fission pathway and a closely related 4-OT homologue found in Bacillus subtilis designated YwhB. All of the compounds were potent competitive inhibitors of 4-OT with the monocarboxylated 2E-fluoro-2,4-pentadienoate and the dicarboxylated 2E-fluoro-2-en-4-ynoate being the most potent. Despite the close mechanistic and structural similarities between 4-OT and YwhB, these compounds were significantly less potent inhibitors of YwhB with K(i) values ranging from 5- to 633-fold lower than those determined for 4-OT. The study of VPH is complicated by the fact that the enzyme is only active as a complex with the metal-dependent 4-oxalocrotonate decarboxylase (4-OD), the enzyme following 4-OT in the catechol meta-fission pathway. A structure-based sequence analysis identified 4-OD as a member of the fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) superfamily and implicated Glu-109 and Glu-111 as potential metal-binding ligands. Changing these residues to a glutamine verified their importance for enzymatic activity and enabled the production of soluble E109Q4-OD/VPH or E111Q4-OD/VPH complexes, which retained full hydratase activity but had little decarboxylase activity. Subsequent incubation of the E109Q4-OD/VPH complex with the substrate analogues identified the 2E and 2Z isomers of the monocarboxylated 2-fluoropent-2-en-4-ynoate as competitive inhibitors. The combined results set the stage for crystallographic studies of 4-OT, YwhB, and VPH using these inhibitors as ligands.

Once daily oral mesalamine compared to conventional dosing for induction and maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Feagan, Brian G; MacDonald, John K

2012-09-01

We systematically reviewed and compared the efficacy and safety of once daily (OD) mesalamine to conventional dosing for induction and maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis (UC). A literature search to January 2012 identified all applicable randomized trials. Study quality was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The GRADE criteria were used to assess the overall quality of the evidence. Studies were subgrouped by formulation for meta-analysis. Eleven studies that evaluated 4070 patients were identified. The risk of bias was low for most factors, although five studies were single-blind and one was open-label. No difference was observed between the dosing strategies in the proportion of patients with clinical remission (relative risk [RR] 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82-1.10), clinical improvement (RR 0.87 95% CI 0.68-1.10), or relapse at 6 (RR 1.10; 95% CI 0.83-1.46) or 12 months (RR 0.92; 95% CI 0.83-1.03). Subgroup analyses showed no important differences in efficacy. No significant difference was demonstrated in rates of medication adherence or adverse events between OD and conventional dosing. OD mesalamine appears to be as effective and safe as conventional dosing for both the treatment of mild to moderately active UC and for maintenance of remission in quiescent UC. The failure to demonstrate a superior rate of adherence to OD dosing may be due to the high rate of adherence observed in the clinical trials environment. Future research should assess the value of OD dosing in community settings. Copyright © 2012 Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, Inc.

Flow Cytometry Pulse Width Data Enables Rapid and Sensitive Estimation of Biomass Dry Weight in the Microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlorella vulgaris

PubMed Central

Chioccioli, Maurizio; Hankamer, Ben; Ross, Ian L.

2014-01-01

Dry weight biomass is an important parameter in algaculture. Direct measurement requires weighing milligram quantities of dried biomass, which is problematic for small volume systems containing few cells, such as laboratory studies and high throughput assays in microwell plates. In these cases indirect methods must be used, inducing measurement artefacts which vary in severity with the cell type and conditions employed. Here, we utilise flow cytometry pulse width data for the estimation of cell density and biomass, using Chlorella vulgaris and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as model algae and compare it to optical density methods. Measurement of cell concentration by flow cytometry was shown to be more sensitive than optical density at 750 nm (OD750) for monitoring culture growth. However, neither cell concentration nor optical density correlates well to biomass when growth conditions vary. Compared to the growth of C. vulgaris in TAP (tris-acetate-phosphate) medium, cells grown in TAP + glucose displayed a slowed cell division rate and a 2-fold increased dry biomass accumulation compared to growth without glucose. This was accompanied by increased cellular volume. Laser scattering characteristics during flow cytometry were used to estimate cell diameters and it was shown that an empirical but nonlinear relationship could be shown between flow cytometric pulse width and dry weight biomass per cell. This relationship could be linearised by the use of hypertonic conditions (1 M NaCl) to dehydrate the cells, as shown by density gradient centrifugation. Flow cytometry for biomass estimation is easy to perform, sensitive and offers more comprehensive information than optical density measurements. In addition, periodic flow cytometry measurements can be used to calibrate OD750 measurements for both convenience and accuracy. This approach is particularly useful for small samples and where cellular characteristics, especially cell size, are expected to vary during growth. PMID:24832156

Tri-length laser therapy associated to tecar therapy in the treatment of low-back pain in adults: a preliminary report of a prospective case series.

PubMed

Osti, Raffaella; Pari, Carlotta; Salvatori, Giada; Massari, Leo

2015-01-01

Low-back pain is very frequent, especially in active adult population. There are several different orthopaedic condition that can cause low-back pain, and the pain worsen the quality of life significantly. The treatments vary from drugs, physical therapies, kinesiology, local infiltrations, and so on. Laser therapy has an important role in the treatment of the inflammatory causes of pain, with several studies that demonstrate the efficacy of low and high energy laser therapy in the treatment of low-back pain. Sixty-six consecutive patients with low-back pain with or without leg pain were treated using a combination of Tri-length laser I-Triax® (Mectronic Medicale, Bergamo, Italy) and Pharon® tecar therapy (Mectronic Medicale, Bergamo, Italy). The patients were treated three times a week, every other day, for a total of 10 sessions. Clinical results were evaluated using visual analogic scale for individual pain (0 to 10) and the Oswestry disability scale (ODS). Tests started before the beginning of therapies and 8 weeks after the end of the therapies. Visual analogic scale (VAS) score significantly improved from an average value of 8.1 ± 1.58 pre-treatment to an average value 8-weeks post-treatment of 2.63 ± 2.74 (P < .01). ODS values start from a pre-treatment average value of 53.0 ± 13.0 to a post-treatment average value of 23.5 ± 19.8 (P < .01). A higher improvement both in VAS and in ODS was denoted in the group of patient with low-back pain and leg pain (respectively, VAS from 8.66 ± 1.58 to 2.86 ± 2.94 and ODS from 57.8 ± 15.5 to 23.7 ± 19.5). Low-back pain, associated or not with leg pain, is a very common clinical situation. The treatments of this condition are different, and an important role can be given to the laser therapy. The conclusion of this study is that the association between laser therapy iLux-Triax® and tecar therapy Pharon® in the treatment of low-back pain, with or without leg pain, can significantly reduce pain and improve the quality of life in patients with degenerative and inflammatory problems.

Evaluation of palatability of 10 commercial amlodipine orally disintegrating tablets by gustatory sensation testing, OD-mate as a new disintegration apparatus and the artificial taste sensor.

PubMed

Uchida, Takahiro; Yoshida, Miyako; Hazekawa, Mai; Haraguchi, Tamami; Furuno, Hiroyuki; Teraoka, Makoto; Ikezaki, Hidekazu

2013-09-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the palatability of 10 formulations (the original manufacturer's formulation and nine generics) of amlodipine orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) by means of human gustatory sensation testing, disintegration/dissolution testing and the evaluation of bitterness intensity using a taste sensor. Initially, the palatability, dissolution and bitterness intensity of the ODTs were evaluated in gustatory sensation tests. Second, the disintegration times of the ODTs were measured using the OD-mate, a newly developed apparatus for measuring the disintegration of ODTs, and lastly, the bitterness intensities were evaluated using an artificial taste sensor. Using factor analysis, the factors most affecting the palatability of amlodipine ODTs were found to be disintegration and taste. There was high correlation between the disintegration times of the 10 amlodipine ODTs estimated in human gustatory testing and those found using the OD-mate. The bitterness intensities of amlodipine ODTs 10, 20 and 30 s after starting the conventional brief dissolution test and the values determined by the taste sensor were highly correlated with the bitterness intensities determined in gustatory sensation testing. The OD-mate and the taste sensor may be useful for predicting the disintegration and bitterness intensity of amlodipine ODTs in the mouth. © 2013 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Theory of action spectroscopy for single-molecule reactions induced by vibrational excitations with STM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frederiksen, T.; Paulsson, M.; Ueba, H.

2014-01-01

A theory of action spectroscopy, i.e., a reaction rate or yield as a function of bias voltage, is presented for single-molecule reactions induced by the inelastic tunneling current with a scanning tunneling microscope. A formula for the reaction yield is derived using the adsorbate resonance model, which provides a versatile tool to analyze vibrationally mediated reactions of single adsorbates on conductive surfaces. This allows us to determine the energy quantum of the excited vibrational mode, the effective broadening of the vibrational density of states (as described by Gaussian or Lorentzian functions), and a prefactor characterizing the elementary process behind the reaction. The underlying approximations are critically discussed. We point out that observation of reaction yields at both bias voltage polarities can provide additional insight into the adsorbate density of states near the Fermi level. As an example, we apply the theory to the case of flip motion of a hydroxyl dimer (OD)2 on Cu(110) which was experimentally observed by Kumagai et al. [Phys. Rev. B 79, 035423 (2009), 10.1103/PhysRevB.79.035423]. In combination with density functional theory calculations for the vibrational modes, the vibrational damping due to electron-hole pair generation, and the potential energy landscape for the flip motion, a detailed microscopic picture for the switching process is established. This picture reveals that the predominant mechanism is excitation of the OD stretch modes which couple anharmonically to the low-energy frustrated rotation mode.

Creep and tensile properties of several oxide-dispersion-strengthened nickel-base alloys at 1365 K

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wittenberger, J. D.

1977-01-01

The tensile properties at room temperature and at 1365 K and the tensile creep properties at low strain rates at 1365 K were measured for several oxide-dispersion-strengthened (ODS) alloys. The alloys examined included ODS Ni, ODS Ni-20Cr, and ODS Ni-16Cr-Al. Metallography of creep tested, large grain size ODS alloys indicated that creep of these alloys is an inhomogeneous process. All alloys appear to possess a threshold stress for creep. This threshold stress is believed to be associated with diffusional creep in the large grain size ODS alloys and normal dislocation motion in perfect single crystal (without transverse low angle boundaries) ODS alloys. Threshold stresses for large grain size ODS Ni-20Cr and Ni-16Cr-Al type alloys are dependent on the grain aspect ratio. Because of the deleterious effect of prior creep on room temperature mechanical properties of large grain size ODS alloys, it is speculated that the threshold stress may be the design limiting creep strength property.

Sludge accumulation pattern inside oxidation ditch case study.

PubMed

Fouad, Moharram; El-Morsy, Ahmed

2014-01-01

The sludge accumulation pattern of an oxidation ditch (OD) plant treating municipal wastewater was observed under dry and wet weather conditions, during 3 years of operation. The accumulation patterns along the ditches and their rates were revealed. In addition, the composition of the accumulation was investigated. Finally, the ratio of sand and volatile particles, mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), and mixed liquor volatile suspended solids, as well as the removal efficiency were also observed against the accumulated sludge. Further, a laboratory-scale channel was used to investigate the settleability of grit after mixing with variable values of MLSS. The observed results indicated that the economical design and operation of ODs using a velocity value between 0.3-0.35 m/s is not recommended, to avoid the settling of all solids. High values of MLSS and sludge age need high horizontal velocity (more than 0.35 m/s) and more power to avoid settling problems and system failure. The influence of flow velocity on the sludge settleability was studied, enabling better planning of future ditch design and operation.

Characterisation of a complex thin walled structure fabricated by selective laser melting using a ferritic oxide dispersion strengthened steel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Boegelein, Thomas, E-mail: t.boegelein@liv.ac.uk; Louvis, Eleftherios; Dawson, Karl

2016-02-15

Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys exhibit superior mechanical and physical properties due to the presence of nanoscopic Y(Al, Ti) oxide precipitates, but their manufacturing process is complex. The present study is aimed at further investigation of the application of an alternative, Additive Manufacturing (AM) technique, Selective Laser Melting (SLM), to the production of consolidated ODS alloy components. Mechanically alloyed PM2000 (ODS-FeCrAl) powders have been consolidated and a fine dispersion of Y-containing precipitates were observed in an as built thin-walled component, but these particles were typically poly-crystalline and contained a variety of elements including O, Al, Ti, Cr and Fe. Applicationmore » of post-build heat treatments resulted in the modification of particle structures and compositions; in the annealed condition most precipitates were transformed to single crystal yttrium aluminium oxides. During the annealing treatment, precipitate distributions homogenised and localised variations in number density were diminished. The resulting volume fractions of those precipitates were 25–40% lower than have been reported in conventionally processed PM2000, which was attributed to Y-rich slag-like surface features and inclusions formed during SLM. - Highlights: • A wall structure was grown from ODS steel powder using selective laser melting. • A fine dispersion of nano-precipitates was apparent in as-build material. • Precipitates were multi-phased containing several elements, e.g. O, Ti, Al, Fe, Cr, Y. • Post-build annealing changed those into typically single-crystalline Y–Al–O. • The anneal also reduced and stabilised the volume fraction of precipitates to ~ 0.006.« less

Development of a Poly-ε-Lysine Contact Lens as a Drug Delivery Device for the Treatment of Fungal Keratitis.

PubMed

Gallagher, Andrew G; McLean, Keri; Stewart, Rosalind M K; Wellings, Don A; Allison, Heather E; Williams, Rachel L

2017-09-01

The purpose of this study was to develop a more efficient drug delivery device to overcome the limitations of current drop therapy for the treatment of fungal keratitis. Amphotericin B (AmpB), 0 to 30 μg/mL, was associated with a poly-ε-lysine (pεK) hydrogel. Fungicidal effect against Candida albicans was assessed at 18 and 42 hours by optical density (OD600) and growth on agar. Tear film dilution effect was mimicked by storage of AmpB pεK gels in 3.4 mL sterile PBS for 24 hours prior to fungal incubation. Drug elution over 96 hours was evaluated by HPLC, and drug stability was tested while associated with the gel by OD600 up to 48 hours. Lack of cytotoxicity toward the HCE-T corneal epithelial cell line was assessed over 7 days. AmpB pεK gels show fungicidal activity in normal conditions (0.057 OD600, SD 0.003, P < 0.005) and in the presence of horse serum (0.048 OD600, SD 0.028 P < 0.005) at 18 hours. The drug release profile was above therapeutic levels (0.188 μg/mL) for up to 72 hours. Tear dilution had no significant effect at higher concentrations of AmpB (3 to 10 μg/mL). AmpB pεK gels were not cytotoxic to the HCE-T cell line. We demonstrated that AmpB pεK gels confer sustained therapeutic antifungal activity for at least 48 hours without corneal epithelial cell line cytotoxicity, suggesting their potential for in vivo use as an antifungal bandage contact lens. This could avoid the need for intensive topical medication in the treatment of fungal keratitis.

Changes in brain peptides associated with reproduction and energy homeostasis in photosensitive and photorefractory migratory redheaded buntings.

PubMed

Surbhi; Rastogi, Ashutosh; Malik, Shalie; Rani, Sangeeta; Kumar, Vinod

2016-05-01

Present study examined the expression of brain peptides associated with the reproduction and energy homeostasis (GnRH/GnIH, NPY/VIP), and assessed their possible functional association in the photosensitive (non-breeding, pre-breeding), photostimulated (breeding) and photorefractory (post-breeding) migratory redheaded buntings (Emberiza bruniceps), using double-labeled immunohistochemistry. Particularly, we measured immunoreactive (-ir) cell numbers, per cent cell area and cell optical density (OD) in the preoptic area (GnRH-I), midbrain (GnRH-II), paraventricular nucleus (GnIH), dorsomedial hypothalamus, DMH and infundibular complex, INc (NPY and VIP), and lateral septal organ (VIP) of buntings kept under natural photoperiods at the wintering latitude (26°55'N). There was a significant seasonal difference in GnRH-I, not GnRH-II, with reduced -ir cells in the photosensitive and photorefractory buntings, and notably with increased cell OD between the refractory and non-breeding states with no increase in testis size. Also, increased cell OD of GnIH neurons in non-breeding state indicated its role in the maintenance of small testes during the post-refractory period. Overall, seasonal changes in GnRH-I and GnIH were found consistent with their suggested roles in reproductive regulation of absolute photorefractory birds. Further, there was a significant seasonal change in cell OD of NPY neurons in DMH, not the INc. In contrast, VIP immunoreactivity was seasonally altered, with a significantly higher VIP-ir cells in breeding than the pre-breeding state. Finally, close proximity between perikarya with fibres suggested functional interactions between the GnRH and GnIH, and NPY and VIP. Thus, seasonal plasticity of brain peptides is perhaps the part of neural regulation of seasonal reproduction and associated energy homeostasis in migratory songbirds. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Bacterial and fungal biofilm formation on contact lenses and their susceptibility to lens care solutions.

PubMed

Kackar, Siddharth; Suman, Ethel; Kotian, M Shashidhar

2017-01-01

Microbial biofilm formation on contact lenses and lens storage cases may be a risk factor for contact lens-associated corneal infections. Various types of contact lens care solutions are used to reduce microbial growths on lenses. The present study aimed at comparing the growths of biofilms on the different contact lenses and lens cases. The study also aimed at determining the effect of lens care solutions and bacteriophage on these biofilms. One type of hard lens and two types of soft lenses were used for the study. The organisms used were Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Candida albicans ATCC 60193 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Biofilm production was performed by modified O'Toole and Kolter method and effect of lens cleaning solutions and a crude coliphage on biofilms was also studied. Results were visualised using scanning electron microscopy and quantitated by colony counting method and spectrophotometric measurement of optical density (OD). Statistical analysis was done by SPSS 11.5, Kruskal-Wallis test and Chi-square test. Soft lens cleaning solutions had a significant inhibitory effect (P = 0.020) on biofilm formation on soft lenses and also lens cases (P < 0.001). Soft lens cleaning solution 2 was more efficient than solution 1. However, no such inhibitory effect was observed with regard to hard lens cleaning solution, but for a significant reduction in the OD values (P < 0.001). There was no significant inhibitory effect by bacteriophages. This study showed the importance of selecting the appropriate lens cleaning solution to prevent biofilm production on contact lenses.

Raman Laser Spectrometer internal Optical Head current status: opto-mechanical redesign to minimize the excitation laser trace

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanz, Miguel; Ramos, Gonzalo; Moral, Andoni; Pérez, Carlos; Belenguer, Tomás; del Rosario Canchal, María; Zuluaga, Pablo; Rodriguez, Jose Antonio; Santiago, Amaia; Rull, Fernando; Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA); Ingeniería de Sistemas para la Defesa de España S.A. (ISDEFE)

2016-10-01

Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) is the Pasteur Payload instruments of the ExoMars mission, within the ESA's Aurora Exploration Programme, that will perform for the first time in an out planetary mission Raman spectroscopy. RLS is composed by SPU (Spectrometer Unit), iOH (Internal Optical Head), and ICEU (Instrument Control and Excitation Unit). iOH focuses the excitation laser on the samples (excitation path), and collects the Raman emission from the sample (collection path, composed on collimation system and filtering system). The original design presented a high laser trace reaching to the detector, and although a certain level of laser trace was required for calibration purposes, the high level degrades the Signal to Noise Ratio confounding some Raman peaks.The investigation revealing that the laser trace was not properly filtered as well as the iOH opto-mechanical redesign are reported on. After the study of the Long Pass Filters Optical Density (OD) as a function of the filtering stage to the detector distance, a new set of filters (Notch filters) was decided to be evaluated. Finally, and in order to minimize the laser trace, a new collection path design (mainly consisting on that the collimation and filtering stages are now separated in two barrels, and on the kind of filters to be used) was required. Distance between filters and collimation stage first lens was increased, increasing the OD. With this new design and using two Notch filters, the laser trace was reduced to assumable values, as can be observed in the functional test comparison also reported on this paper.

Applying OD to the Public Sector

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Warrick, D. D.

1976-01-01

Discusses special considerations affecting organizational development (OD) programs in public-sector organizations, presents guidelines for using OD procedures in the public sector, and offers conclusions about the applicability of OD in the public sector. (Author/JG)

Fracture behaviour of the 14Cr ODS steel exposed to helium and liquid lead

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hojna, Anna; Di Gabriele, Fosca; Hadraba, Hynek; Husak, Roman; Kubena, Ivo; Rozumova, Lucia; Bublikova, Petra; Kalivodova, Jana; Matejicek, Jiri

2017-07-01

This work describes the fracture behaviour of the 14Cr ODS steel produced by mechanical alloying process, after high temperature exposures. Small specimens were exposed to helium gas in a furnace at 720 °C for 500 h. Another set of specimens was exposed to flowing liquid lead in the COLONRI II loop at 650 °C for 1000 h. All specimens were tested for the impact and tensile behaviour. The impact test results are compared to other sets of specimens in the as received state and after isothermal annealing at 650 °C for 1000 h. The impact curves of the exposed materials showed positive shifts on the transition temperature. While the upper shelf value did not change in the Pb exposed ODS steel, it significantly increased in the He exposed one. The differences are discussed in terms of surface and subsurface microscopy observation. The embrittlement can be explained as the effect of a slight change in the grain boundary and size distribution combined with the depletion of sub-surface region from alloying elements forming oxide scale on the surface.

Recent Progress on the Conversion of Surplus Picric Acid/Explosive D to Higher Value Products

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

R.Mitchell, A; Hsu, P C; Coburn, M D

2004-07-06

The global demilitarization of nuclear and conventional munitions is producing millions of pounds of surplus energetic materials. Historically, energetic materials (high explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics) have been disposed of by open burning/open detonation (OB/OD). The use of OB/OD is becoming unacceptable due to public concerns and increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Clearly, there is a great need to develop environmentally sound and cost-effective alternatives to OB/OD. The conversion of surplus picric acid and/or ammonium picrate (Explosive D) to1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6- trinitrobenzene (TATB) has been subject of extensive process development studies at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). LLNL, under the direction and sponsorship ofmore » the U.S. Army Defense Ammunition Center (DAC), is developing a process for the conversion of picric acid to TATB on a larger scale. In FY 03, a 10 g per batch process was developed with good results. Development for a one pound per batch system is required as part of overall scale up process for producing TATB from the surplus feedstocks.« less

Communication: Disorder-suppressed vibrational relaxation in vapor-deposited high-density amorphous ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shalit, Andrey; Perakis, Fivos; Hamm, Peter

2014-04-01

We apply two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy to differentiate between the two polyamorphous forms of glassy water, low-density (LDA) and high-density (HDA) amorphous ices, that were obtained by slow vapor deposition at 80 and 11 K, respectively. Both the vibrational lifetime and the bandwidth of the 1-2 transition of the isolated OD stretch vibration of HDO in H2O exhibit characteristic differences when comparing hexagonal (Ih), LDA, and HDA ices, which we attribute to the different local structures - in particular the presence of interstitial waters in HDA ice - that cause different delocalization lengths of intermolecular phonon degrees of freedom. Moreover, temperature dependent measurements show that the vibrational lifetime closely follows the structural transition between HDA and LDA phases.

Experimental artefacts occurring during atom probe tomography analysis of oxide nanoparticles in metallic matrix: Quantification and correction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatzoglou, C.; Radiguet, B.; Pareige, P.

2017-08-01

Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) steels are promising candidates for future nuclear reactors, partly due to the fine dispersion of the nanoparticles they contain. Until now, there was no consensus as to the nature of the nanoparticles because their analysis pushed the techniques to their limits and in consequence, introduced some artefacts. In this study, the artefacts that occur during atom probe tomography analysis are quantified. The artefacts quantification reveals that the particles morphology, chemical composition and atomic density are biased. A model is suggested to correct these artefacts in order to obtain a fine and accurate characterization of the nanoparticles. This model is based on volume fraction calculation and an analytical expression of the atomic density. Then, the studied ODS steel reveals nanoparticles, pure in Y, Ti and O, with a core/shell structure. The shell is rich in Cr. The Cr content of the shell is dependent on that of the matrix by a factor of 1.5. This study also shows that 15% of the atoms that were initially in the particles are not detected during the analysis. This only affects O atoms. The particle stoichiometry evolves from YTiO2 for the smallest observed (<2 nm) to Y2TiO5 for the biggest (>8 nm).

Estimating the Success of OD Applications.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Golembiewski, Robert T.; And Others

1982-01-01

Organizational development (OD) and its future are discussed. Examines database implications about OD's applications. Reports an effort to transcend the limitations of the literature, based on a very intensive search for OD applications in both business and government contexts. (CT)

Prenatal Vitamins: OK for Women Who Aren't Pregnant?

MedlinePlus

... fact sheet: Folate. Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/. Accessed March 20, ... fact sheet: Iron. Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/. Accessed March ...

Expression of food-grade phytase in Lactococcus lactis from optimized conditions in milk broth.

PubMed

Miao, Yuzhi; Xu, Hui; Fei, Baojin; Qiao, Dairong; Cao, Yi

2013-07-01

The major objective of this study was to engineer lactic acid bacteria to produce the enzyme phytase from a gene native to Bacillus subtilis GYPB04. The phytase gene (phyC) of B. subtilis GYPB04 was cloned into the plasmid pMG36e for expression in Lactococcus lactis. The enzyme activity in L. lactis cultured in GM17 broth was 20.25 U/mL at 36°C. The expressed phytase was characterized as active in a pH range of 2.0-9.0 at a temperature range of 20-80°C, with an optimum pH of 5.5-6.5 and temperature of 60°C. When cultured in food-grade milk broth, the transformed L. lactis grew to an OD(600 nm) value of 1.05 and had a phytase yield of 13.58 U/mL. In same broth under optimized conditions for cell growth and phytase production, the transformant reached an OD(600 nm) value of 1.68 and a phytase yield of 42.12 U/mL, representing approximately 1.6-fold and 3.1-fold increases, respectively, compared to growth in natural milk broth. Fermentation was scaled to 5 L under optimized conditions, and product analysis revealed a final OD(600 nm) value of 1.89 and an extracellular enzyme activity of 24.23 U/mL. The results of this study may be used in the dairy fermentation industry for the development of functional, healthy yogurts and other fermented dairy foods that provide both active phytase and viable probiotics to the consumer. Copyright © 2013 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Role of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Support of the Vitamin D Initiative of the National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.

PubMed

Wise, Stephen A; Tai, Susan S-C; Burdette, Carolyn Q; Camara, Johanna E; Bedner, Mary; Lippa, Katrice A; Nelson, Michael A; Nalin, Federica; Phinney, Karen W; Sander, Lane C; Betz, Joseph M; Sempos, Christopher T; Coates, Paul M

2017-09-01

Since 2005, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has collaborated with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) to improve the quality of measurements related to human nutritional markers of vitamin D status. In support of the NIH-ODS Vitamin D Initiative, including the Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP), NIST efforts have focused on (1) development of validated analytical methods, including reference measurement procedures (RMPs); (2) development of Standard Reference Materials (SRMs); (3) value assignment of critical study samples using NIST RMPs; and (4) development and coordination of laboratory measurement QA programs. As a result of this collaboration, NIST has developed RMPs for 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 [25(OH)D2], 25(OH)D3, and 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24R,25(OH)2D3]; disseminated serum-based SRMs with values assigned for 25(OH)D2, 25(OH)D3, 3-epi-25(OH)D3, and 24R,25(OH)2D3; assigned values for critical samples for VDSP studies, including an extensive interlaboratory comparison and reference material commutability study; provided an accuracy basis for the Vitamin D External Quality Assurance Scheme; coordinated the first accuracy-based measurement QA program for the determination of 25(OH)D2, 25(OH)D3, and 3-epi-25(OH)D3 in human serum/plasma; and developed methods and SRMs for the determination of vitamin D and 25(OH)D in food and supplement matrix SRMs. The details of these activities and their benefit and impact to the NIH-ODS Vitamin D Initiative are described.

Technical Note: Magnetic field effects on Gafchromic-film response in MR-IGRT.

PubMed

Reynoso, Francisco J; Curcuru, Austen; Green, Olga; Mutic, Sasa; Das, Indra J; Santanam, Lakshmi

2016-12-01

Magnetokinetic changes may affect crystal orientation and polymerization within the active layer of radiochromic film (RCF). This effect is investigated in a magnetic resonance image-guided radiotherapy unit within the context of film dosimetry. Gafchromic EBT2 RCF was irradiated in a 30 × 30 × 30 cm 3 solid water phantom using a Co-60 MRI guided radiotherapy system (B = 0.35 T) under normal operating conditions, and under the exact conditions and setup without a magnetic field. Fifteen 20.3 × 25.4 cm 2 EBT2 film sheets were placed at three different depths (d = 0.5, 5, and 10 cm) using five different treatment plans. The plans were computed using the MRIdian (ViewRay, Inc.) treatment planning system to deliver doses between 0 and 17.6 Gy. Films were analyzed before and after irradiation to obtain the net optical density (netOD) for each color channel separately. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were obtained to compare the active layer of selected samples. The results indicated that the red channel netOD decreased between 0.013 and 0.123 (average of 0.060 ± 0.033) for doses above 2.8 Gy, with a linear increase in this effect for higher doses. Green channel netOD showed similar results with a decrease between 0.012 and 0.105 (average of 0.041 ± 0.027) for doses above 3.5 Gy. The blue channel showed the weakest effect with a netOD decrease between 0.013 and 0.029 (average of 0.020 ± 0.006) for doses above 8.0 Gy. SEM images show changes in crystal orientation within active layer in RCF exposed in a magnetic field. The presence of a magnetic field affects crystal orientation and polymerization during irradiation, where netOD decreased by an average of 8.7%, 8.0%, and 4.3% in the red, green, and blue channels, respectively. The under response was dependent on dose and differed by up to 15% at 17.6 Gy.

High temperature oxidation behavior of ODS steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaito, T.; Narita, T.; Ukai, S.; Matsuda, Y.

2004-08-01

Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels are being developing for application as advanced fast reactor cladding and fusion blanket materials, in order to allow increased operation temperature. Oxidation testing of ODS steel was conducted under a controlled dry air atmosphere to evaluate the high temperature oxidation behavior. This showed that 9Cr-ODS martensitic steels and 12Cr-ODS ferritic steels have superior high temperature oxidation resistance compared to 11 mass% Cr PNC-FMS and 17 mass% Cr ferritic stainless steel. This high temperature resistance is attributed to earlier formation of the protective α-Cr 2O 3 on the outer surface of ODS steels.

Optimization of culturing conditions of recombined Escherichia coli to produce umami octopeptide-containing protein.

PubMed

Zhang, Yin; Wei, Xiong; Lu, Zhou; Pan, Zhongli; Gou, Xinhua; Venkitasamy, Chandrasekar; Guo, Siya; Zhao, Liming

2017-07-15

Using synthesized peptides to verify the taste of natural peptides was probably the leading cause for tasting disputes regarding umami peptides. A novel method was developed to prepare the natural peptide which could be used to verify the taste of umami peptide. A controversial octopeptide was selected and gene engineering was used to structure its Escherichia coli. expressing vector. A response surface method was adopted to optimize the expression conditions of the recombinant protein. The results of SDS-PAGE for the recombinant protein indicated that the recombinant expression system was successfully structured. The fitting results of the response surface experiment showed that the OD 600 value was the key factor which influenced the expression of the recombinant protein. The optimal culturing process conditions predicted with the fitting model were an OD 600 value of 0.5, an IPTG concentration of 0.6mM, a culturing temperature of 28.75°C and a culturing time of 5h. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An ELISA method to compute endpoint titers to Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus: application to population-based studies.

PubMed

Stowe, Raymond P; Ruiz, R Jeanne; Fagundes, Christopher P; Stowe, Robin H; Chen, Min; Glaser, Ronald

2014-06-01

Indirect fluorescence analysis (IFA), the gold standard for determining herpesvirus antibody titers, is labor-intensive and poorly suited for large population-based studies. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is used widely for measuring antiviral antibodies but also suffers drawbacks such as reduced specificity and the qualitative nature of the results due to limited interpretation of the optical density (OD) units. This paper describes a method to titer herpesvirus antibodies using microplates coated with virally-infected cells in which a standard curve, derived from IFA-scored samples, allowed OD units to be converted into titers. A LOOKUP function was created in order to report the data as traditional IFA-based (i.e., 2-fold) titers. The modified ELISA correlated significantly with IFA and was subsequently used to compute endpoint antibody titers to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-virus capsid antigen (VCA) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in blood samples taken from 398 pregnant Hispanic women. Four women were EBV negative (1%), while 58 women were CMV negative (14.6%). EBV VCA antibody titers were significantly higher than CMV antibody titers (p<0.001). This method allows titering of herpesvirus antibodies by ELISA suitable for large population-based studies. In addition, the LOOKUP table enables conversion from OD-derived titers into 2-fold titers for comparison of results with other studies. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Computer Code for Fully-Coupled Rocket Nozzle Flows (FULLNOZ)

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-04-01

surface (i.e. each integration It would be useful to incorporate an "initializing" scheme which utilizes comb tstion chamber properties as initial...density is greater than the critical electron density. (During the initial stages of the expansion process , where particle tempera- tures are very high it...34iW to19Cs*4909too xs *d99$900 wool ?* 0. SeFC16, .t) .6?900 1, 3x *,30?%I0 to 41,171 0I. 9"CI ,."v *?’o.9 A3 qhbs99r.oo, v.U118 0.1 ,t It Od Cs Sol-C

Anosmia and olfactory outcomes following paediatric traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Bakker, Kathleen; Catroppa, Cathy; Anderson, Vicki

2016-01-01

Research into olfactory dysfunction (OD) following paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is limited. The current study investigated the frequency of OD following paediatric TBI and the relationship between OD and injury characteristics including severity, site of impact and cause of injury. It was hypothesized that children with moderate/severe TBI would demonstrate greater OD than those with mild TBI. Thirty-seven children aged 8-16 with TBI were recruited to a prospective longitudinal study at a metropolitan children's hospital. Olfactory assessment, using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test, was completed at 0-3 months post-injury. Nineteen per cent of participants demonstrated impaired olfaction, while a small number (5%) were anosmic. A significant relationship between OD and severity of injury was found. No other injury variables demonstrated a significant relationship with olfactory outcomes. OD was relatively common in this paediatric TBI cohort and the hypothesized relationship with severity of injury was supported. It is recommended that information about OD after TBI be routinely provided to children and families. Further research is needed in larger cohorts to support the implementation of routine clinical assessment, understand the relationship between OD and other injury characteristics, determine the functional implications of OD and document recovery trajectories.

Organization Development: A Critique

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stephenson, T. E.

1975-01-01

Reviews the literature dealing with organization development (OD) and discusses the predominant concerns and attitudes of OD theorists and practitioners. Suggests that OD might be more aptly named "human development" and argues that OD practitioners generally act as missionaries who feel they must remedy the errors of their clients' behavior. (JG)

The Orphan Disease Networks

PubMed Central

Zhang, Minlu; Zhu, Cheng; Jacomy, Alexis; Lu, Long J.; Jegga, Anil G.

2011-01-01

The low prevalence rate of orphan diseases (OD) requires special combined efforts to improve diagnosis, prevention, and discovery of novel therapeutic strategies. To identify and investigate relationships based on shared genes or shared functional features, we have conducted a bioinformatic-based global analysis of all orphan diseases with known disease-causing mutant genes. Starting with a bipartite network of known OD and OD-causing mutant genes and using the human protein interactome, we first construct and topologically analyze three networks: the orphan disease network, the orphan disease-causing mutant gene network, and the orphan disease-causing mutant gene interactome. Our results demonstrate that in contrast to the common disease-causing mutant genes that are predominantly nonessential, a majority of orphan disease-causing mutant genes are essential. In confirmation of this finding, we found that OD-causing mutant genes are topologically important in the protein interactome and are ubiquitously expressed. Additionally, functional enrichment analysis of those genes in which mutations cause ODs shows that a majority result in premature death or are lethal in the orthologous mouse gene knockout models. To address the limitations of traditional gene-based disease networks, we also construct and analyze OD networks on the basis of shared enriched features (biological processes, cellular components, pathways, phenotypes, and literature citations). Analyzing these functionally-linked OD networks, we identified several additional OD-OD relations that are both phenotypically similar and phenotypically diverse. Surprisingly, we observed that the wiring of the gene-based and other feature-based OD networks are largely different; this suggests that the relationship between ODs cannot be fully captured by the gene-based network alone. PMID:21664998

46 CFR 282.31 - Subsidy billing procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

.... (a) Subsidy voucher—(1) Form. Requests for payment of ODS shall be submitted on a public voucher... affidavit. (1) The following schedules shall be used for calculating the amount of ODS payable: Schedule A (Company) ODSA No. ODS Accrued During Fiscal Year 198__ ODS Payable for the Month of Current voucher...

"Organization Development": How It Works, What It's Becoming, Why It Pays Off.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sears, Woody H.

1979-01-01

Distinguishes between organizational development (OD) and therapy. OD is defined as a mechanism for problem solving in complex socio-technical systems. Describes possible drawbacks and advantages of the OD process. Provides examples of how OD has helped managers and non-managers work together. (CSS)

OD Technology for the Future.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blake, Robert R.; Mouton, Jane Srygley

1979-01-01

The authors state that organizational development (OD) consultants are reluctant to rely upon instruments because this would diminish their sense of usefulness. They discuss 15 OD issues and conclude that OD instruments must be based on sound principles of behavior and sequenced in a planned way in order to implement organizational change and…

46 CFR 280.3 - Standards governing award of an ODS agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Standards governing award of an ODS agreement. 280.3 Section 280.3 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS AFFECTING... LINER OPERATORS § 280.3 Standards governing award of an ODS agreement. No ODS agreement, including any...

Ethical Problems in the Practice of Organization Development.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wooten, Kevin C.; White, Louis P.

1983-01-01

This article discusses forces that affect the professional ethics of organizational development (OD). Both driving forces and restraining forces have influenced the current status of OD ethics. These forces have operated since the emergence of OD itself, and their fluctuating intensity results in the dynamic nature of the OD profession. (SSH)

Intervention and Evaluation: A Proactive Team Approach to OD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gavin, James F.; McPhail, S. Morton

1978-01-01

A team of change agents initiated an intensive organizational development (OD) program in a nonacademic, service department of a midwestern university. Concluding comments include exploration of the feasibility of substantive OD change in short-term programs, and the possibility of nonlinear relations between OD outcomes and time investments. For…

Antibacterial activity and morphological changes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells after exposure to Vernonia cinerea extract.

PubMed

Latha, Lachimanan Yoga; Darah, Ibrahim; Kassim, Mohd Jain Noordin Mohd; Sasidharan, Sreenivasan

2010-08-01

The antibacterial activity of Vernonia cinerea (L.) extract was investigated using the broth dilution method. The extract showed a favorable antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) value of 3.13 mg/mL. V. cinerea extract at (1/2), 1, or 2 times the MIC significantly inhibited bacterial growth with a noticeable drop in optical density (OD) of the bacterial culture, thus confirming the antibacterial activity of the extract on P. aeruginosa. Imaging using scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy was done to determine the major alterations in the microstructure of the extract-treated P. aeruginosa. The main abnormalities noted via SEM and TEM studies were the alteration in morphology of the bacterial cells. The main reason for this destruction was the severe alterations of the cell wall with the formation of holes, invaginations, and morphological disorganization caused by the extract. The authors conclude that the extract may be used as a candidate for the development of antimicrobial agents.

A computer program for borehole compensation of dual-detector density well logs

USGS Publications Warehouse

Scott, James Henry

1978-01-01

The computer program described in this report was developed for applying a borehole-rugosity and mudcake compensation algorithm to dual-density logs using the following information: the water level in the drill hole, hole diameter (from a caliper log if available, or the nominal drill diameter if not), and the two gamma-ray count rate logs from the near and far detectors of the density probe. The equations that represent the compensation algorithm and the calibration of the two detectors (for converting countrate or density) were derived specifically for a probe manufactured by Comprobe Inc. (5.4 cm O.D. dual-density-caliper); they are not applicable to other probes. However, equivalent calibration and compensation equations can be empirically determined for any other similar two-detector density probes and substituted in the computer program listed in this report. * Use of brand names in this report does not necessarily constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey.

The study of LED light source illumination conditions for ideal algae cultivation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Chun-Chin; Huang, Chien-Fu; Chen, Cin-Fu; Yue, Cheng-Feng

2017-02-01

Utilizing LED light source modules with 3 different RGB colors, the illumination effect of different wavelengths had been investigated on the growth curve of the same kind of micro algae. It was found that the best micro algae culturing status came out with long wavelength light such as red light (650 670 nm). Based on the same condition for a period of 3 weeks , the grown micro algae population density ratio represented by Optical Density (O.D.) ratio is 1?0.4?0.7 corresponding to growth with Red, Green, Blue light sources, respectively. Mixing 3 types and 2 types of LEDs with different parameters, the grown micro algae population densities were compared in terms of O.D. Interestingly enough, different light sources resulted in significant discoloration on micro algae growth, appearing yellow, brown, green, etc. Our experiments results showed such discoloration effect is reversible. Based on the same lighting condition, micro algae growth can be also affected by incubator size, nutrition supply, and temperature variation. In recent years, micro algae related technologies have been international wise a hot topic of energy and environmental protection for research and development institutes, and big energy companies among those developed countries. There will be an economically prosperous future. From this study of LED lighting to ideal algae cultivation, it was found that such built system would be capable of optimizing artificial cultivation system, leading to economic benefits for its continuous development. Since global warming causing weather change, accompanying with reducing energy sources and agriculture growth shortage are all threatening human being survival.

[Organization development of the public health system].

PubMed

Pfaff, Holger; Klein, Jürgen

2002-05-15

Changes in the German health care system require changes in health care institutions. Organizational development (OD) techniques can help them to cope successfully with their changing environment. OD is defined as a collective process of learning aiming to induce intended organizational change. OD is based on social science methods and conducted by process-oriented consultants. In contrast to techniques of organizational design, OD is characterized by employee participation. One of the most important elements of OD is the so-called "survey-feedback-technique". Five examples illustrate how the survey-feedback-technique can be used to facilitate organisational learning. OD technique supports necessary change in health care organizations. It should be used more frequently.

Neurogenic [corrected] and oropharyngeal dysphagia.

PubMed

Rofes, Laia; Clavé, Pere; Ouyang, Ann; Scharitzer, Martina; Pokieser, Peter; Vilardell, Natalia; Ortega, Omar

2013-10-01

Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is a swallowing disorder caused by congenital abnormalities and structural damage and disease-associated damage of the oral cavity, pharynx, and upper esophageal sphincter. Patients with OD lack the protective mechanisms necessary for effective swallowing, exhibiting difficulty controlling food in the mouth and initiating a swallow, leading to choking, coughing, and nasal regurgitation. OD is a major risk factor for malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia. The following on OD includes commentaries on the application of simulation of oropharyngeal transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and maneuvers like the Shaker exercise to improve the safety and efficacy of swallow in OD patients; the prevalence of esophageal pathologies in OD patients and the need to evaluate the esophagus, esophagogastric junction, and stomach; and strategies for clinical screening to detect OD and aspiration among high-risk patients and to improve oral health care, maintain nutrition and hydration, and prevent aspiration pneumonia. © 2013 New York Academy of Sciences.

46 CFR 252.41 - Subsidy billing procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... for payment of ODS shall be submitted on a public voucher, Standard Forms 1034 and 1034A, which can be... schedules shall be used for calculating the amount of ODS payable: Schedule A (Company) ODSA No. ODS Accrued During Fiscal Year 19__ ODS Payable for the Month of Current voucher Previous voucher Total Total accrued...

46 CFR 252.30 - Amount of subsidy payable.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Subsidy Rates § 252.30 Amount of subsidy payable. (a) Daily rates. Daily ODS rates shall be used to quantify the amount of ODS payable except for the ODS rates applicable to maintenance and repair expenses, as described separately in § 252.32. The daily ODS rate represents the cost differential between the...

Organization Development: Its Nature, Origins, and Prospects.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bennis, Warren G.

A primer on organization development (OD), this book presents a basic statement for people in organizations and for practitioners and students of OD. Many concrete examples are included. After a definition of OD, the basic conditions which create the need for OD are discussed: rapid change, growth in size, increasing diversity, change in…

Diagnostic Efficiency of Symptoms for Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Waldman, Irwin D.; Lilienfeld, Scott O.

1991-01-01

Examined diagnostic efficiency of symptoms for experimentally diagnosed oppositional defiant disorder (OD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 102 elementary-age boys. Findings from teacher ratings revealed that, on average, ADHD symptoms were as useful as OD symptoms as exclusion criteria for OD, whereas OD symptoms were nearly…

Advances in Research on Organization Development: Toward a Beginning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pate, Larry E.; And Others

1977-01-01

This paper examines 38 research studies that were conducted on various aspects of organization development (OD) technology. The studies are compared along eight dimensions. Problems associated with evaluating OD and the limited amount of OD research are discussed. It is argued that more systematic, longitudinal research on OD is needed. (Author)

Recent advances in orthostatic hypotension presenting orthostatic dizziness or vertigo.

PubMed

Kim, Hyun-Ah; Yi, Hyon-Ah; Lee, Hyung

2015-11-01

Orthostatic hypotension (OH), a proxy for sympathetic adrenergic failure, is the most incapacitating sign of autonomic failure. Orthostatic dizziness (OD) is known to be the most common symptom of OH. However, recent studies have demonstrated that 30-39 % of patients with OH experienced rotatory vertigo during upright posture (i.e., orthostatic vertigo, OV), which challenges the dogma that OH induces dizziness and not vertigo. A recent population-based study on spontaneously occurring OD across a wide age range showed that the one-year and lifetime prevalence of OD was 10.9 and 12.5 %, respectively. Approximately 83 % of patients with OD had at least one abnormal autonomic function test result. So far, 11 subtypes of OD have been proposed according to the pattern of autonomic dysfunction, and generalized autonomic failure of sympathetic adrenergic and parasympathetic cardiovagal functions was the most common type. Four different patterns of OH, such as classic, delayed, early, and transient type have been found in patients with OD. The head-up tilt test and Valsalva maneuver should be performed for a comprehensive evaluation of sympathetic adrenergic failure in patients with OD/OV. This review summarizes current advances in OH presenting OD/OV, with a particular focus on the autonomic dysfunction associated with OD.

Investigation of multimodal forward scatter phenotyping from bacterial colonies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Huisung

A rapid, label-free, and elastic light scattering (ELS) based bacterial colony phenotyping technology, bacterial rapid detection using optical scattering technology (BARDOT) provides a successful classification of several bacterial genus and species. For a thorough understanding of the phenomena and overcoming the limitations of the previous design, five additional modalities from a bacterial colony: 3D morphology, spatial optical density (OD) distribution, spectral forward scattering pattern, spectral OD, and surface backward reflection pattern are proposed to enhance the classification/identification ratio, and the feasibilities of each modality are verified. For the verification, three different instruments: integrated colony morphology analyzer (ICMA), multi-spectral BARDOT (MS-BARDOT) , and multi-modal BARDOT (MM-BARDOT) are proposed and developed. The ICMA can measure 3D morphology and spatial OD distribution of the colony simultaneously. A commercialized confocal displacement meter is used to measure the profiles of the bacterial colonies, together with a custom built optical density measurement unit to interrogate the biophysics behind the collective behavior of a bacterial colony. The system delivers essential information related to the quantitative growth dynamics (height, diameter, aspect ratio, optical density) of the bacterial colony, as well as, a relationship in between the morphological characteristics of the bacterial colony and its forward scattering pattern. Two different genera: Escherichia coli O157:H7 EDL933, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 are selected for the analysis of the spatially resolved growth dynamics, while, Bacillus spp. such as B. subtilis ATCC 6633, B. cereus ATCC 14579, B. thuringiensis DUP6044, B. polymyxa B719W, and B. megaterium DSP 81319, are interrogated since some of the Bacillus spp. provides strikingly different characteristics of ELS patterns, and the origin of the speckle patterns are successfully correlated with the 2-D spatial density map from the ICMA. The MS-BARDOT can measure multispectral elastic-light-scatter patterns of the bacterial colony and its spectral OD to overcome the inherent limits of the single-wavelength BARDOT. A theoretical model for spectral forward scatter patterns from a bacterial colony based on elastic light scatter is presented. The spectral forward scatter patterns are computed by scalar diffraction theory, and compared with experimental results of three discrete wavelengths (405 nm, 635 nm, and 904 nm). Both model and experiment results show an excellent agreement; a longer wavelength induces a wider ring width, a wider ring gap, a smaller pattern size, and smaller numbers of rings. Further analysis using spatial fast Fourier transform (SFFT) shows a good agreement; the spatial frequencies are increasing towards the inward direction, and the slope is inversely proportional to the incoming wavelength. Four major pathogenic bacterial genera (Escherichia coli O157:H7 EDL933, Listeria monocytogenes F4244, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis PT21, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923) and the seven major Escherichia coli serovar (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145, and O157) with 3-4 strains each are measured and analyzed with the proposed instrument and algorithm. The MM-BARDOT can measure six different modalities: 1) light microscopy, 2) 3D morphology map from confocal microscopy, 3) 3D optical density map, 4) spectral forward scattering pattern, 5) spectral OD, 6) surface backward reflection pattern, and 7) fluorescence of a bacterial colony without moving the specimen. A custom-built confocal microscope with a controller which can be easily attached to an infinity-corrected commercial microscope is designed and built. Since the current BARDOT needs additional information from a bacterial colony to enhance the identification/classification ratio for a lower hierarchy of bacterial taxonomy such as serovar or strain level, the approach can offer a series of coordinates matched and correlated bio-optical characteristics of a colony and enhance the classification accuracy of the previously introduced BARDOT system. Four major pathogenic bacterial genera: Escherichia coli O157:H7 EDL933, Listeria monocytogenes F4244, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis PT21, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 are measured and analyzed with the proposed instrument and algorithm. Also, a feasibility test for a smaller colony (up to 500 mum) classification utilizing a surface backward reflection pattern from the measurement is done, and shows a potential as an additional modality for the bacterial phenotyping.

Optimization of the quenching method for metabolomics analysis of Lactobacillus bulgaricus.

PubMed

Chen, Ming-ming; Li, Ai-li; Sun, Mao-cheng; Feng, Zhen; Meng, Xiang-chen; Wang, Ying

2014-04-01

This study proposed a quenching protocol for metabolite analysis of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. Microbial cells were quenched with 60% methanol/water, 80% methanol/glycerol, or 80% methanol/water. The effect of the quenching process was assessed by the optical density (OD)-based method, flow cytometry, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were employed for metabolite identification. The results indicated that quenching with 80% methanol/water solution led to less damage to the L. bulgaricus cells, characterized by the lower relative fraction of prodium iodide (PI)-labeled cells and the higher OD recovery ratio. Through GC-MS analysis, higher levels of intracellular metabolites (including focal glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine, and AMP) and a lower leakage rate were detected in the sample quenched with 80% methanol/water compared with the others. In conclusion, we suggested a higher concentration of cold methanol quenching for L. bulgaricus metabolomics due to its decreasing metabolite leakage.

Optimization of the quenching method for metabolomics analysis of Lactobacillus bulgaricus *

PubMed Central

Chen, Ming-ming; Li, Ai-li; Sun, Mao-cheng; Feng, Zhen; Meng, Xiang-chen; Wang, Ying

2014-01-01

This study proposed a quenching protocol for metabolite analysis of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. Microbial cells were quenched with 60% methanol/water, 80% methanol/glycerol, or 80% methanol/water. The effect of the quenching process was assessed by the optical density (OD)-based method, flow cytometry, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were employed for metabolite identification. The results indicated that quenching with 80% methanol/water solution led to less damage to the L. bulgaricus cells, characterized by the lower relative fraction of prodium iodide (PI)-labeled cells and the higher OD recovery ratio. Through GC-MS analysis, higher levels of intracellular metabolites (including focal glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine, and AMP) and a lower leakage rate were detected in the sample quenched with 80% methanol/water compared with the others. In conclusion, we suggested a higher concentration of cold methanol quenching for L. bulgaricus metabolomics due to its decreasing metabolite leakage. PMID:24711354

Effect of irradiation on the microstructure and the mechanical properties of oxide dispersion strengthened low activation ferritic/martensitic steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramar, A.; Baluc, N.; Schäublin, R.

2007-08-01

Ferritic/martensitic (F/M) steels show good resistance to swelling and low damage accumulation upon irradiation relative to stainless steels. 0.3 wt% yttria particles were added to the F/M steel EUROFER 97 to produce oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steel, to increase the operating temperature as well as mechanical strength. ODS EUROFER 97 was irradiated in the PIREX facility with 590 MeV protons to 0.3, 1 and 2 dpa at 40 °C. Microstructure of the irradiated samples is analyzed in the transmission electron microscope using bright field, dark field and weak beam conditions. The presence of voids and dislocation loops is observed for the higher doses, where as at low dose (0.3 dpa) only small defects with sizes of 1-3 nm are observed as black dots. The relationship between the defect density to dispersoids is measured and the Burgers' vector of dislocation loops is analyzed.

Positron annihilation lifetime study of oxide dispersion strengthened steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krsjak, V.; Szaraz, Z.; Hähner, P.

2012-09-01

A comparative positron annihilation lifetime study has been performed on various commercial ferritic and ferritic/martensitic oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels. Both as-extruded and recrystallized materials were investigated. In the materials with recrystallized coarse-grained microstructures, only the positron trapping at small vacancy clusters and yttria nanofeatures was observed. Materials which had not undergone recrystallization treatment clearly showed additional positron trapping which is associated with dislocations. Dislocation densities were calculated from a two-component decomposition of the positron lifetime spectra by assuming the first component to be a superposition of the bulk controlled annihilation rate and the dislocation controlled trapping rate. The second component (which translates into lifetimes of 240-260 ps) was found to be well separated in all those ODS materials. This paper presents the potentialities and limitations of the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy, and discusses the results of the experimental determination of the defect concentrations and sensitivity of this technique to the material degradation due to thermally induced precipitation of chromium-rich α' phases.

Quick analysis of optical spectra to quantify epidermal melanin and papillary dermal blood content of skin.

PubMed

Jacques, Steven L

2015-04-01

This paper presents a practical approach for assessing the melanin and blood content of the skin from total diffuse reflectance spectra, R(λ), where λ is wavelength. A quick spectral analysis using just three wavelengths (585 nm, 700 nm and 800 nm) is presented, based on the 1985 work of Kollias and Baquer who documented epidermal melanin of skin using the slope of optical density (OD) between 620 nm and 720 nm. The paper describes the non-rectilinear character of such a quick analysis, and shows that almost any choice of two wavelengths in the 600-900 range can achieve the characterization of melanin. The extrapolation of the melanin slope to 585 nm serves as a baseline for subtraction from the OD (585 nm) to yield a blood perfusion score. Monte Carlo simulations created spectral data for a skin model with epidermis, papillary dermis and reticular dermis to illustrate the analysis. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Lower mitochondrial proton leak and decreased glutathione redox in primary muscle cells of obese diet-resistant versus diet-sensitive humans.

PubMed

Thrush, A Brianne; Zhang, Rui; Chen, William; Seifert, Erin L; Quizi, Jessica K; McPherson, Ruth; Dent, Robert; Harper, Mary-Ellen

2014-11-01

Weight loss success in response to energy restriction is highly variable. This may be due in part to differences in mitochondrial function and oxidative stress. The objective of the study was to determine whether mitochondrial function, content, and oxidative stress differ in well-matched obese individuals in the upper [obese diet sensitive (ODS)] vs lower quintiles [obese diet resistant (ODR)] for rate of weight loss. Primary myotubes derived from muscle biopsies of individuals identified as ODS or ODR were studied. Compliant ODS and ODR females who completed in the Ottawa Hospital Weight Management Program and identified as ODS and ODR participated in this study. Eleven ODS and nine ODR weight-stable females matched for age, body mass, and body mass index participated in this study. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were obtained and processed for muscle satellite cell isolation. Mitochondrial respiration, content, reactive oxygen species, and glutathione redox ratios were measured in the myotubes of ODS and ODR individuals. Mitochondrial proton leak was increased in myotubes of ODS compared with ODR (P < .05). Reduced and oxidized glutathione was decreased in the myotubes of ODR vs ODS (P < .05), indicating a more oxidized glutathione redox state. There were no differences in myotube mitochondrial content, uncoupling protein 3, or adenine nucleotide translocase levels. Lower rate of mitochondrial proton leak in muscle is a cell autonomous phenomenon in ODR vs ODS individuals, and this is associated with a more oxidized glutathione redox state in ODR vs ODS myotubes. The muscle of ODR subjects may thus have a lower capacity to adapt to oxidative stress as compared with ODS.

Analysis of filter tuning techniques for sequential orbit determination

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, T.; Yee, C.; Oza, D.

1995-01-01

This paper examines filter tuning techniques for a sequential orbit determination (OD) covariance analysis. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in sequential OD, primarily due to the successful flight qualification of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) Onboard Navigation System (TONS) using Doppler data extracted onboard the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) spacecraft. TONS computes highly accurate orbit solutions onboard the spacecraft in realtime using a sequential filter. As the result of the successful TONS-EUVE flight qualification experiment, the Earth Observing System (EOS) AM-1 Project has selected TONS as the prime navigation system. In addition, sequential OD methods can be used successfully for ground OD. Whether data are processed onboard or on the ground, a sequential OD procedure is generally favored over a batch technique when a realtime automated OD system is desired. Recently, OD covariance analyses were performed for the TONS-EUVE and TONS-EOS missions using the sequential processing options of the Orbit Determination Error Analysis System (ODEAS). ODEAS is the primary covariance analysis system used by the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Flight Dynamics Division (FDD). The results of these analyses revealed a high sensitivity of the OD solutions to the state process noise filter tuning parameters. The covariance analysis results show that the state estimate error contributions from measurement-related error sources, especially those due to the random noise and satellite-to-satellite ionospheric refraction correction errors, increase rapidly as the state process noise increases. These results prompted an in-depth investigation of the role of the filter tuning parameters in sequential OD covariance analysis. This paper analyzes how the spacecraft state estimate errors due to dynamic and measurement-related error sources are affected by the process noise level used. This information is then used to establish guidelines for determining optimal filter tuning parameters in a given sequential OD scenario for both covariance analysis and actual OD. Comparisons are also made with corresponding definitive OD results available from the TONS-EUVE analysis.

Nutritional status of older patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia in a chronic versus an acute clinical situation.

PubMed

Carrión, Silvia; Roca, Maria; Costa, Alicia; Arreola, Viridiana; Ortega, Omar; Palomera, Elisabet; Serra-Prat, Mateu; Cabré, Mateu; Clavé, Pere

2017-08-01

Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is a prevalent risk factor for malnutrition (MN) in older patients and both conditions are related to poor outcome. To explore the nutritional status in older patients with OD in a chronic and an acute clinical situation. We examined 95 older (≥70 years) patients with OD associated to chronic neurological diseases or aging, and 23 older patients with OD and acute community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with videofluoroscopy; and 15 older people without OD. We collected nutritional status, measured with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA ® ), anthropometric measurements, and biochemistry and bioimpedance for body composition. Functional status was assessed with the Barthel index. 1) Taking into consideration patients with OD with chronic conditions, 51.1% presented a MNA ® ≤23.5; 16.7%, sarcopenia and a) reduced visceral and muscular protein compartments and fat compartment; b) muscular weakness c) intracellular water depletion, and d) reduced body weight. Patients with OD and MNA ® ≤23 needed higher levels of nectar viscosity for a safe swallow and had increased oropharyngeal residue at spoon-thick viscosity. 2) Patients with OD and CAP, 69.5%, presented an MNA ® ≤23.5 and 29.4% sarcopenia, the inflammatory response of the pneumonia adding to the more severe depletion in visceral protein and muscular mass. Prevalence of impaired nutritional status (malnutrition risk, and sarcopenia) among older patients with OD associated with either chronic or acute conditions is very high. In patients with OD and chronic diseases, poor nutritional status further impairs OD with an increase in oropharyngeal residue at spoon-thick viscosity. In the acute setting there is inflammation and an additional protein deficiency. These findings will help develop specific products both for OD and nutritional status in each specific clinical situation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

Correlation Between Intraocular Pressure and Central Corneal Thickness in Persian Children.

PubMed

Nejabat, Mahmood; Heidary, Fatemeh; Talebnejad, Mohammad Reza; Salouti, Ramin; Nowroozzadeh, Mohammad Hossein; Masoumpour, Masoumeh; Mahdaviazad, Hamideh; Tajbakhsh, Zahra; Keshtkar, Maryam; Jamali, Hossein; Khalili, Mohammad Reza; Movahedan, Hossein; Roustaei, Narges; Gharebaghi, Reza

2016-12-01

This study aimed to determine intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements in healthy Persian children to find clinical reference values in this ethnicity. Additionally, we examined the possible relationship between these measurements. This cross-sectional study included 262 eyes of 131 Persian primary school children between 6 and 13 years of age. All eyes were healthy and had no anterior or posterior segment abnormalities, corneal disease, or evidence of glaucoma. Specular microscopy was used to measure CCT and both noncontact tonometry (NCT) and Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) were used to measure IOP. Correlations between IOP measurements were also examined. Mean CCT was 513.47 ± 34.51 μm in the right eye (OD) and 513.93 ± 33.88 μm in the left eye (OS). The CCT was not significantly different between older (10-13 years) and younger (6-9 years) patients. Mean IOP measured with GAT was 13.86 ± 2.13 mmHg OD and 13.72 ± 2.04 mmHg OS and mean IOP measured with NCT was 15.26 ± 2.38 mmHg OD and 15.11 ± 2.18 mmHg OS. The IOP and CCT measured with GAT were weakly correlated (OD: r = 0.141, P = 0.114; OS: r = 0.236, P = 0.007). However, IOP and CCT measured with NCT (OD: r = 0.487, P = 0.000; OS: r = 0.456, P = 0.000) were moderately correlated. Our outcomes demonstrated that for 100 μm increase in CCT, IOP measured with GAT and NCT increased by 0.8 and 3.3 mmHg, respectively, in OD and by 1.4 and 2.9 mmHg in OS. Based on intraclass correlation coefficients, IOP measurements made with GAT and NCT were in fair agreement in OD and in good agreement in OS. The IOP and CCT in healthy Persian school children (6-13 years old) were positively correlated. Our findings revealed that corneal thickness is thinner in Persian children than in most other racial groups. This study has been funded by deputy dean in research of School of Medicine and deputy vice chancellor of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Solidification and Biotoxicity Assessment of Thermally Treated Municipal Solid Waste Incineration (MSWI) Fly Ash

PubMed Central

Gong, Bing; Deng, Yi; Yang, Yuanyi; Tan, Swee Ngin; Liu, Qianni; Yang, Weizhong

2017-01-01

In the present work, thermal treatment was used to stabilize municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash, which was considered hazardous waste. Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) results indicated that, after the thermal process, the leaching concentrations of Pb, Cu, and Zn decreased from 8.08 to 0.16 mg/L, 0.12 to 0.017 mg/L and 0.39 to 0.1 mg/L, respectively, which well met the limits in GB5085.3-2007 and GB16689-2008. Thermal treatment showed a negative effect on the leachability of Cr with concentrations increasing from 0.1 to 1.28 mg/L; nevertheless, it was still under the limitations. XRD analysis suggested that, after thermal treatments, CaO was newly generated. CaO was a main contribution to higher Cr leaching concentrations owing to the formation of Cr (VI)—compounds such as CaCrO4. SEM/EDS tests revealed that particle adhesion, agglomeration, and grain growth happened during the thermal process and thus diminished the leachability of Pb, Cu, and Zn, but these processes had no significant influence on the leaching of Cr. A microbial assay demonstrated that all thermally treated samples yet possessed strong bactericidal activity according to optical density (OD) test results. Among all samples, the OD value of raw fly ash (RFA) was lowest followed by FA700-10, FA900-10, and FA1100-10 in an increasing order, which indicated that the sequence of the biotoxicity for these samples was RFA > FA700-10 > FA900-10 > FA1100-10. This preliminary study indicated that, apart from TCLP criteria, the biotoxicity assessment was indispensable for evaluating the effect of thermal treatment for MSWI fly ash. PMID:28604580

Inhibitory effect of 1,2,4-triazole-ciprofloxacin hybrids on Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Haemophilus influenzae biofilm formation in vitro under stationary conditions.

PubMed

Kosikowska, Urszula; Andrzejczuk, Sylwia; Plech, Tomasz; Malm, Anna

2016-10-01

Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Haemophilus influenzae, upper respiratory tract microbiota representatives, are able to colonize natural and artificial surfaces as biofilm. The aim of the present study was to assay the effect of ten 1,2,4-triazole-ciprofloxacin hybrids on planktonic or biofilm-forming haemophili cells in vitro under stationary conditions on the basis of MICs (minimal inhibitory concentrations) and MBICs (minimal biofilm inhibitory concentrations). In addition, anti-adhesive properties of these compounds were examined. The reference strains of H. parainfluenzae and H. influenzae were included. The broth microdilution microtiter plate (MTP) method with twofold dilution of the compounds, or ciprofloxacin (reference agent) in 96-well polystyrene microplates, was used. The optical density (OD) reading was made spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 570 nm (OD570) both to measure bacterial growth and to detect biofilm-forming cells under the same conditions with 0.1% crystal violet. The following values of parameters were estimated for 1,2,4-triazole-ciprofloxacin hybrids - MIC = 0.03-15.63 mg/L, MBIC = 0.03-15.63 mg/L, MBIC/MIC = 0.125-8, depending on the compound, and for ciprofloxacin - MIC = 0.03-0.06 mg/L, MBIC = 0.03-0.12 mg/L, MBIC/MIC = 1-2. The observed strong anti-adhesive properties (95-100% inhibition) of the tested compounds were reversible during long-term incubation at subinhibitory concentrations. Thus, 1,2,4-triazole-ciprofloxacin hybrids may be considered as starting compounds for designing improved agents not only against planktonic but also against biofilm-forming Haemophilus spp. cells. Copyright © 2016 Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Application of a novel sorting system for equine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)

PubMed Central

Radtke, Catherine L.; Nino-Fong, Rodolfo; Esparza Gonzalez, Blanca P.; McDuffee, Laurie A.

2014-01-01

The objective of this study was to validate non-equilibrium gravitational field-flow fractionation (GrFFF), an immunotag-less method of sorting mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into subpopulations, for use with MSCs derived from equine muscle tissue, periosteal tissue, bone marrow, and adipose tissue. Cells were collected from 6 young, adult horses, postmortem. Cells were isolated from left semitendinosus muscle tissue, periosteal tissue from the distomedial aspect of the right tibia, bone marrow aspirates from the fourth and fifth sternebrae, and left supragluteal subcutaneous adipose tissue. Aliquots of 800 × 103 MSCs from each tissue source were separated and injected into a ribbon-like capillary device by continuous flow (GrFFF proprietary system). Cells were sorted into 6 fractions and absorbencies [optical density (OD)] were read. Six fractions from each of the 6 aliquots were then combined to provide pooled fractions that had adequate cell numbers to seed at equal concentrations into assays. Equine muscle tissue-derived, periosteal tissue-derived, bone marrow-derived, and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells were consistently sorted into 6 fractions that remained viable for use in further assays. Fraction 1 had more cuboidal morphology in culture when compared to the other fractions. Statistical analysis of the fraction absorbencies (OD) revealed a P-value of < 0.05 when fractions 2 and 3 were compared to fractions 1, 4, 5, and 6. It was concluded that non-equilibrium GrFFF is a valid method for sorting equine muscle tissue-derived, periosteal tissue-derived, bone marrow-derived, and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells into subpopulations that remain viable, thus securing its potential for use in equine stem cell applications and veterinary medicine. PMID:25355998

Determination of biofilm production by Candida tropicalis isolated from hospitalized patients and its relation to cellular surface hydrophobicity, plastic adherence and filamentation ability.

PubMed

Galán-Ladero, M A; Blanco-Blanco, M T; Hurtado, C; Pérez-Giraldo, C; Blanco, M T; Gómez-García, A C

2013-09-01

Candida tropicalis is an emerging virulent species. The aim of this study is to determine the biofilm-forming ability of 29 strains of C. tropicalis isolated from inpatients, and to examine its relation with other virulence factors such as cellular surface hydrophobicity (CSH), immediate (15 min, IA) and late (24 h, LA) plastic adherence and filamentation ability. The study was performed in parallel using two incubation temperatures - 37 and 22 °C - to determine the effect of growth temperature variations on these pathogenic attributes of C. tropicalis. Biofilm formation (BF) was measured by optical density (OD) and by XTT reduction (XTT); Slime index (SI), which includes growth as a correction factor in BF, was calculated in both methods. All strains were hydrophobic and adherent - at 15 min and 24 h - at both temperatures, with higher values for 22 °C; the adhered basal yeast layer appears to be necessary to achieve subsequent development of biofilm. Filamentation ability varied from 76.2% of strains at 37 °C to 26.6% at 22 °C. All C. tropicalis strains were biofilm producers, with similar results obtained using OD determination and XTT measurement to evaluation methods; SI is useful when good growth is not presented. BF at 37 °C was similar at 24 h and 96 h incubation; conversely, at 22 °C, the highest number of biofilm-producing strains was detected at 96 h. CSH is an important pathogenic factor which is involved in adherence, is influenced by the filamentation of yeast, and plays a critical role in BF. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

46 CFR 280.4 - Standards governing payment of ODS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Standards governing payment of ODS. 280.4 Section 280.4... Standards governing payment of ODS. (a) Full payment. Except to the extent otherwise provided in § 280.8, ODS shall be paid in full to the operator for vessel operations on the inbound and outbound legs of...

46 CFR 282.24 - Protection and indemnity insurance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Subsidy Per Voyage Day ($27,336,900÷3,500 days)=$7,810.54 Ratio P&I Deductible ODS to Wage ODS $287.85÷$7,810.54=3.69% T.R. 98 ship type Daily wage ODS 1/1/85 Ratio P&I ded. to wage ODS (percent) Daily P&I ded. ODS 1/1/85 C4-A $9,000 ×3.69 $332.10 C5-B 9,300 ×3.69 343.17 C6-C 9,600 ×3.69 354.24 (ii) In...

46 CFR 252.34 - Protection and indemnity insurance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... subsidy per voyage day ($27,336,900÷3,500 days)=$7,810.54. Ratio P&I deductible ODS to wage ODS $287.85÷$7,810.54=3.69%. T.R. 98 ship type Daily wage ODS 1/1/85 Ratio P&I ded. to wage ODS (pct) Daily P&I ded. ODS 1/1/85 C4-A $9,000 ×3.69 $332.10 C5-B 9,300 ×3.69 343.17 C6-C 9,600 ×3.69 354.34 (ii) In cases...

Applicability of two automated disintegration apparatuses for rapidly disintegrating (mini)tablets.

PubMed

Sieber, Daniel; Lazzari, Alessia; Quodbach, Julian; Pein, Miriam

2017-03-01

Orally disintegrating (mini)tablets (OD(M)Ts) are of interest in the field of pharmaceutics. Their orodispersible character is defined by the disintegration time, which is measured with a basket apparatus according to the European Pharmacopoeia. This method, however, lacks applicability for ODTs and especially ODMTs. New disintegration apparatuses have been described in literature, but a qualification to assess the applicability has not been described. A qualification procedure for two automated disintegration apparatuses, OD-mate and Hermes apparatus, is introduced. Aspects of the operational qualification as well as precision and accuracy regarding a performance qualification were evaluated for both apparatuses analog to the ICH guideline Q2. While the OQ study is performed separately for each apparatus, accuracy and precision were performed following the same protocol for both testers. Small RSDs (16.9% OD-mate; 15.2% Hermes compared to 32.3% for the pharmacopeial method) were found despite very fast disintegration times (1.5 s for both apparatuses). By comparing these RSDs to practical examples, the authors propose threshold values for repeatability depending on the mean disintegration time. Obtained results from the qualification were used to assess the applicability of both apparatuses.

Zone specific fractal dimension of retinal images as predictor of stroke incidence.

PubMed

Aliahmad, Behzad; Kumar, Dinesh Kant; Hao, Hao; Unnikrishnan, Premith; Che Azemin, Mohd Zulfaezal; Kawasaki, Ryo; Mitchell, Paul

2014-01-01

Fractal dimensions (FDs) are frequently used for summarizing the complexity of retinal vascular. However, previous techniques on this topic were not zone specific. A new methodology to measure FD of a specific zone in retinal images has been developed and tested as a marker for stroke prediction. Higuchi's fractal dimension was measured in circumferential direction (FDC) with respect to optic disk (OD), in three concentric regions between OD boundary and 1.5 OD diameter from its margin. The significance of its association with future episode of stroke event was tested using the Blue Mountain Eye Study (BMES) database and compared against spectrum fractal dimension (SFD) and box-counting (BC) dimension. Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed FDC as a better predictor of stroke (H = 5.80, P = 0.016, α = 0.05) compared with SFD (H = 0.51, P = 0.475, α = 0.05) and BC (H = 0.41, P = 0.520, α = 0.05) with overall lower median value for the cases compared to the control group. This work has shown that there is a significant association between zone specific FDC of eye fundus images with future episode of stroke while this difference is not significant when other FD methods are employed.

Optimizing the physical-chemical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) on Cu(II) adsorption.

PubMed

Rosenzweig, Shirley; Sorial, George A; Sahle-Demessie, Endalkachew; McAvoy, Drew C

2014-08-30

Systematic experiments of copper adsorption on 10 different commercially available nanomaterials were studied for the influence of physical-chemical properties and their interactions. Design of experiment and response surface methodology was used to develop a polynomial model to predict maximum copper adsorption (initial concentration, Co=10mg/L) per mass of nanomaterial, qe, using multivariable regression and maximum R-square criterion. The best subsets of properties to predict qe in order of significant contribution to the model were: bulk density, ID, mesopore volume, tube length, pore size, zeta-charge, specific surface area and OD. The highest experimental qe observed was for an alcohol-functionalized MWCNT (16.7mg/g) with relative high bulk density (0.48g/cm(3)), ID (2-5nm), 10-30μm long and OD<8nm. Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) showed poor adsorptive capacity associated to stacked-nanoplatelets, but good colloidal stability due to high functionalized surface. Good adsorption results for pristine SWCNT indicated that tubes with small diameter were more associated with good adsorption than functionalized surface. XPS and ICP analysis explored surface chemistry and purity, but pHpzc and zeta-charge were ultimately applied to indicate the degree of functionalization. Optimum CNT were identified in the scatter plot, but actual manufacturing processes introduced size and shape variations which interfered with final property results. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A comparative study of outlier detection for large-scale traffic data by one-class SVM and kernel density estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ngan, Henry Y. T.; Yung, Nelson H. C.; Yeh, Anthony G. O.

2015-02-01

This paper aims at presenting a comparative study of outlier detection (OD) for large-scale traffic data. The traffic data nowadays are massive in scale and collected in every second throughout any modern city. In this research, the traffic flow dynamic is collected from one of the busiest 4-armed junction in Hong Kong in a 31-day sampling period (with 764,027 vehicles in total). The traffic flow dynamic is expressed in a high dimension spatial-temporal (ST) signal format (i.e. 80 cycles) which has a high degree of similarities among the same signal and across different signals in one direction. A total of 19 traffic directions are identified in this junction and lots of ST signals are collected in the 31-day period (i.e. 874 signals). In order to reduce its dimension, the ST signals are firstly undergone a principal component analysis (PCA) to represent as (x,y)-coordinates. Then, these PCA (x,y)-coordinates are assumed to be conformed as Gaussian distributed. With this assumption, the data points are further to be evaluated by (a) a correlation study with three variant coefficients, (b) one-class support vector machine (SVM) and (c) kernel density estimation (KDE). The correlation study could not give any explicit OD result while the one-class SVM and KDE provide average 59.61% and 95.20% DSRs, respectively.

In vivo laser confocal microscopy findings of a cornea with osteogenesis imperfecta.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Akira; Higashide, Tomomi; Yokogawa, Hideaki; Yamazaki, Natsuko; Masaki, Toshinori; Sugiyama, Kazuhisa

2014-01-01

To report the in vivo laser confocal microscopy findings of a cornea with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) with special attention to the abnormality of Bowman's layer and sub-Bowman's fibrous structures (K-structures). Two patients (67-year-old male and his 26-year-old son) with OI type I were included in this study. Slit lamp biomicroscopic and in vivo laser confocal microscopic examinations were performed for both patients. Central corneal thickness and central endothelial cell density were also measured. Although the corneas looked clear with normal endothelial density for both eyes in both patients, they were quite thin (386 μm oculus dexter (OD) (the right eye) and 384 μm oculus sinister (OS) (the left eye) in the father and 430 μm OD and 425 μm OS in the son). In both patients, slit lamp biomicroscopic and in vivo laser confocal microscopic examination showed similar results. Anterior corneal mosaics produced by rubbing the eyelid under fluorescein were completely absent in both eyes. In vivo laser confocal microscopy revealed an absent or atrophic Bowman's layer; a trace of a presumed Bowman's layer and/or basement membrane was barely visible with high intensity. Additionally, K-structures were completely absent in both eyes. The absence of K-structures and fluorescein anterior corneal mosaics strongly suggested an abnormality of Bowman's layer in these OI patients.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Guangming; Zhou, Zhangjian; Mo, Kun

An application of high-energy wide angle synchrotron X-ray diffraction to investigate the tensile deformation of 9Cr ferritic/martensitic (F/M) ODS steel is presented. With tensile loading and in-situ Xray exposure, the lattice strain development of matrix was determined. The lattice strain was found to decrease with increasing temperature, and the difference in Young's modulus of six different reflections at different temperatures reveals the temperature dependence of elastic anisotropy. The mean internal stress was calculated and compared with the applied stress, showing that the strengthening factor increased with increasing temperature, indicating that the oxide nanoparticles have a good strengthening impact at highmore » temperature. The dislocation density and character were also measured during tensile deformation. The dislocation density decreased with increasing of temperature due to the greater mobility of dislocation at high temperature. The dislocation character was determined by best-fit methods for different dislocation average contrasts with various levels of uncertainty. The results shows edge type dislocations dominate the plastic strain at room temperature (RT) and 300 C, while the screw type dislocations dominate at 600 C. The dominance of edge character in 9Cr F/M ODS steels at RT and 300 C is likely due to the pinning effect of nanoparticles for higher mobile edge dislocations when compared with screw dislocations, while the stronger screw type of dislocation structure at 600 C may be explained by the activated cross slip of screw segments.« less

[Relationship between Occlusal Discomfort Syndrome and Occlusal Threshold].

PubMed

Munakata, Motohiro; Ono, Yumie; Hayama, Rika; Kataoka, Kanako; Ikuta, Ryuhei; Tamaki, Katsushi

2016-03-01

Occlusal dysesthesia has been defined as persistent uncomfortable feelings of intercuspal position continuing for more than 6 months without evidence of physical occlusal discrepancy. The problem often occurs after occlusal intervention by dental care. Although various dental treatments (e. g. occlusal adjustment, orthodontic treatment and prosthetic reconstruction) are attempted to solve occlusal dysesthesia, they rarely reach a satisfactory result, neither for patients nor dentists. In Japan, these symptoms are defined by the term "Occlusal discomfort syndrome" (ODS). The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of ODS with the simple occlusal sensory perceptive and discriminative test. Twenty-one female dental patients with ODS (mean age 55.8 ± 19.2 years) and 21 age- and gender-matched dental patients without ODS (mean age 53.1 ± 16.8 years) participated in the study. Upon grinding occlusal registration foils that were stacked to different thicknesses, participants reported the thicknesses at which they recognized the foils (recognition threshold) and felt discomfort (discomfort threshold). Although there was no significant difference in occlusal recognition thresholds between the two patient groups, the discomfort threshold was significantly smaller in the patients with ODS than in those without ODS. Moreover, the recognition threshold showed an age-dependent increase in patients without ODS, whereas it remained comparable between the younger (< 60 years old) and elderly (60 years old or more) patient subgroups with ODS. These results suggest that occlusal discomfort threshold rather than recognition threshold is an issue in ODS. The foil grinding procedure is a simple and useful method to evaluate occlusal perceptive and discriminative abilities in patients with ODS.

Open disclosure: ethical, professional and legal obligations, and the way forward for regulation.

PubMed

Finlay, Angus J F; Stewart, Cameron L; Parker, Malcolm

2013-05-06

Open disclosure (OD) after adverse health care events is the subject of a national standard that has been implemented in state health policy documents, and is included in the Medical Board of Australia's code of conduct for doctors. Nevertheless, doctors have been slow to embrace the practice of OD. There is a strong ethical case for implementing OD in the primary interests of patients, and additionally from a medicolegal risk management point of view. There are no statutory requirements in relation to OD, but common law judgments have imposed a duty of OD in tort and contract. There are a number of barriers to the better uptake and implementation of OD, including perceptions of legal risk, lack of education and training, reluctance to admit error, uncertainty concerning what and how much to disclose, and the variations in state and territory "apology laws". The implementation of OD could be improved by making apology laws consistent across jurisdictions, including providing "blanket" cover for admissions of fault; by preventing insurers voiding contracts when apologies are made, either through self-regulation or legislation; and by inserting OD obligations into different structures within the health system.

Effects of sonochemical treatment on meteoritic nanodiamonds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fisenko, Anatolii V.; Verchovsky, Sasha B.; Shiryaev, Andrei A.; Semjonova, Luba F.

2017-01-01

A nanodiamond-rich fraction (NDF) separated from the Orgueil meteorite was subjected to a high-intensity ultrasonic treatment in a weakly acidic aqueous solution. After sedimentation by centrifugation, two fractions of grains (suspension, designated as OD7C and sediment, designated as OD7D) with different properties have been obtained. The following effects of the sonication were revealed from comparison of the contents and isotope compositions of C, N, and Xe released during stepped pyrolysis and combustion of the fractions OD7C and OD7D, the initial NDF and two grain-size fractions (OD10 and OD15) produced without sonication (a) surface layer of the sonicated diamond grains is modified to different extent in comparison with nontreated ones, (b) in some grains concentrations of the bulk N and Xe a reduced significantly, and (c) nondiamond nitrogen containing phases (e.g., Si3N4) have been destroyed. It is suggested that combined effects of the sonication and centrifugation observed for the fractions OD7C and OD7D are due to differences in surface chemistry of the nanodiamond grains, which statistically influences behavior of nanoparticles during the sonication resulting in their preferential modification in the different reaction zones of the cavitating fluid.

Elevated Temperature Compressive Strength Properties of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened NiAl After Cryo-milling and Roasting in Nitrogen

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whittenberger, J. Daniel; Grahle, Peter; Arzt, Eduard; Hebsur, Mohan

1998-01-01

In an effort to superimpose two different elevated temperature strengthening mechanisms in NiAl, several lots of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) NiAl powder have been cryo-milled in liquid nitrogen to introduce AlN particles at the grain boundaries. As an alternative to cryo-milling, one lot of ODS NiAl was roasted in nitrogen to produce AlN. Both techniques resulted in hot extruded AlN-strengthened, ODS NiAl alloys which were stronger than the base ODS NiAl between 1200 and 1400 K. However, neither the cryo-milled nor the N2-roasted ODS NiAl alloys were as strong as cryo-milled binary NiAl containing like amounts of AlN. The reason(s) for the relative weakness of cryo-milled ODS NiAl is not certain; however the lack of superior strength in N2-roasted ODS NiAl is probably due to its relatively large AlN particles.

Characterization of a parallel beam CCD optical-CT apparatus for 3D radiation dosimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krstajić, Nikola; Doran, Simon J.

2006-12-01

This paper describes the initial steps we have taken in establishing CCD based optical-CT as a viable alternative for 3-D radiation dosimetry. First, we compare the optical density (OD) measurements from a high quality test target and variable neutral density filter (VNDF). A modulation transfer function (MTF) of individual projections is derived for three positions of the sinusoidal test target within the scanning tank. Our CCD is then characterized in terms of its signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Finally, a sample reconstruction of a scan of a PRESAGETM (registered trademark of Heuris Pharma, NJ, Skillman, USA.) dosimeter is given, demonstrating the capabilities of the apparatus.

Progress in developing analytical and label-based dietary supplement databases at the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

PubMed Central

Dwyer, Johanna T.; Picciano, Mary Frances; Betz, Joseph M.; Fisher, Kenneth D.; Saldanha, Leila G.; Yetley, Elizabeth A.; Coates, Paul M.; Milner, John A.; Whitted, Jackie; Burt, Vicki; Radimer, Kathy; Wilger, Jaimie; Sharpless, Katherine E.; Holden, Joanne M.; Andrews, Karen; Roseland, Janet; Zhao, Cuiwei; Schweitzer, Amy; Harnly, James; Wolf, Wayne R.; Perry, Charles R.

2013-01-01

Although an estimated 50% of adults in the United States consume dietary supplements, analytically substantiated data on their bioactive constituents are sparse. Several programs funded by the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutes of Health enhance dietary supplement database development and help to better describe the quantitative and qualitative contributions of dietary supplements to total dietary intakes. ODS, in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, is developing a Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database (DSID) verified by chemical analysis. The products chosen initially for analytical verification are adult multivitamin-mineral supplements (MVMs). These products are widely used, analytical methods are available for determining key constituents, and a certified reference material is in development. Also MVMs have no standard scientific, regulatory, or marketplace definitions and have widely varying compositions, characteristics, and bioavailability. Furthermore, the extent to which actual amounts of vitamins and minerals in a product deviate from label values is not known. Ultimately, DSID will prove useful to professionals in permitting more accurate estimation of the contribution of dietary supplements to total dietary intakes of nutrients and better evaluation of the role of dietary supplements in promoting health and well-being. ODS is also collaborating with the National Center for Health Statistics to enhance the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey dietary supplement label database. The newest ODS effort explores the feasibility and practicality of developing a database of all dietary supplement labels marketed in the US. This article describes these and supporting projects. PMID:25346570

Prehospital Naloxone Administration as a Public Health Surveillance Tool: A Retrospective Validation Study.

PubMed

Lindstrom, Heather A; Clemency, Brian M; Snyder, Ryan; Consiglio, Joseph D; May, Paul R; Moscati, Ronald M

2015-08-01

Abuse or unintended overdose (OD) of opiates and heroin may result in prehospital and emergency department (ED) care. Prehospital naloxone use has been suggested as a surrogate marker of community opiate ODs. The study objective was to verify externally whether prehospital naloxone use is a surrogate marker of community opiate ODs by comparing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) naloxone administration records to an independent database of ED visits for opiate and heroin ODs in the same community. A retrospective chart review of prehospital and ED data from July 2009 through June 2013 was conducted. Prehospital naloxone administration data obtained from the electronic medical records (EMRs) of a large private EMS provider serving a metropolitan area were considered a surrogate marker for suspected opiate OD. Comparison data were obtained from the regional trauma/psychiatric ED that receives the majority of the OD patients. The ED maintains a de-identified database of narcotic-related visits for surveillance of narcotic use in the metropolitan area. The ED database was queried for ODs associated with opiates or heroin. Cross-correlation analysis was used to test if prehospital naloxone administration was independent of ED visits for opiate/heroin ODs. Naloxone was administered during 1,812 prehospital patient encounters, and 1,294 ED visits for opiate/heroin ODs were identified. The distribution of patients in the prehospital and ED datasets did not differ by gender, but it did differ by race and age. The frequency of naloxone administration by prehospital providers varied directly with the frequency of ED visits for opiate/heroin ODs. A monthly increase of two ED visits for opiate-related ODs was associated with an increase in one prehospital naloxone administration (cross-correlation coefficient [CCF]=0.44; P=.0021). A monthly increase of 100 ED visits for heroin-related ODs was associated with an increase in 94 prehospital naloxone administrations (CCF=0.46; P=.0012). Frequency of naloxone administration by EMS providers in the prehospital setting varied directly with frequency of opiate/heroin OD-related ED visits. The data correlated both for short-term frequency and longer term trends of use. However, there was a marked difference in demographic data suggesting neither data source alone should be relied upon to determine which populations are at risk within the community.

OD in Schools: The State of the Art. Vol. IV: Case Studies. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fullan, Michael; And Others

This volume, the fourth of a five-volume series, contains three onsite case studies of organization development (OD) selected from a sample of 76 school districts. The purpose of the case studies was to analyze in detail different types of OD programs and their use. Each case study represents a different OD focus: case study A involves a survey…

Occupational diseases in the automotive industry in Czechia - Geographic and medical context.

PubMed

Jarolímek, Jan; Urban, Pavel; Pavlínek, Petr; Dzurova, Dagmar

2017-05-08

The automotive industry represents the most important industrial sector in Czechia. The objective of this study has been to analyze the occurrence of occupational diseases (OD) in the automotive industry during the period from 2001 till 2014. Data on OD cases was retrieved from the National Registry of OD. Further, we conducted a survey in automotive companies with focus on occupational health services and positions of the companies in global production networks (GPNs). An analysis of OD distribution in the automotive industry was performed (age, gender, company size and its role in GPNs, regional distribution of studied companies, and regional unemployment rate), and was accompanied by assessment of the quality and range of occupational health services. Employees older than 40 years old have nearly 2.5 times higher probability of OD occurrence as compared with employees younger than 40 years old (odds ratio (OR) = 2.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.05-2.85). Occupational diseases occurrence probability was 3 times higher for women than for men (OR = 3.01, 95% CI: 2.55-3.55). Occupational diseases incidence rates increased with the size of the company (0 OD/10 000 employees in micro enterprises to 57 OD/10 000 employees in large enterprises). A particularly steep rise in OD incidents in the automotive industry was observed in the Plzeň Region between 2001 and 2011. An association between OD incidents and the unemployment rate was not statistically confirmed. A statistically significant increase in OD incidents dependent on company size may be arguably attributed to a higher quality of occupational medical services in bigger companies, which ensures better detection and diagnosis of OD. In the Plzeň Region, the rapid increase in OD incidents was mainly caused by a change in the production process of automobile textiles in one factory due to the introduction of a glue containing isocyanates, which are potent allergising agents. This led to an increase in occupational allergic diseases - bronchial asthma in particular. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(3):455-468. This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.

On the calibration process of film dosimetry: OLS inverse regression versus WLS inverse prediction.

PubMed

Crop, F; Van Rompaye, B; Paelinck, L; Vakaet, L; Thierens, H; De Wagter, C

2008-07-21

The purpose of this study was both putting forward a statistically correct model for film calibration and the optimization of this process. A reliable calibration is needed in order to perform accurate reference dosimetry with radiographic (Gafchromic) film. Sometimes, an ordinary least squares simple linear (in the parameters) regression is applied to the dose-optical-density (OD) curve with the dose as a function of OD (inverse regression) or sometimes OD as a function of dose (inverse prediction). The application of a simple linear regression fit is an invalid method because heteroscedasticity of the data is not taken into account. This could lead to erroneous results originating from the calibration process itself and thus to a lower accuracy. In this work, we compare the ordinary least squares (OLS) inverse regression method with the correct weighted least squares (WLS) inverse prediction method to create calibration curves. We found that the OLS inverse regression method could lead to a prediction bias of up to 7.3 cGy at 300 cGy and total prediction errors of 3% or more for Gafchromic EBT film. Application of the WLS inverse prediction method resulted in a maximum prediction bias of 1.4 cGy and total prediction errors below 2% in a 0-400 cGy range. We developed a Monte-Carlo-based process to optimize calibrations, depending on the needs of the experiment. This type of thorough analysis can lead to a higher accuracy for film dosimetry.

Obtaining optic disc center and pixel region by automatic thresholding methods on morphologically processed fundus images.

PubMed

Marin, Diego; Gegundez-Arias, Manuel E; Suero, Angel; Bravo, Jose M

2015-02-01

Development of automatic retinal disease diagnosis systems based on retinal image computer analysis can provide remarkably quicker screening programs for early detection. Such systems are mainly focused on the detection of the earliest ophthalmic signs of illness and require previous identification of fundal landmark features such as optic disc (OD), fovea or blood vessels. A methodology for accurate center-position location and OD retinal region segmentation on digital fundus images is presented in this paper. The methodology performs a set of iterative opening-closing morphological operations on the original retinography intensity channel to produce a bright region-enhanced image. Taking blood vessel confluence at the OD into account, a 2-step automatic thresholding procedure is then applied to obtain a reduced region of interest, where the center and the OD pixel region are finally obtained by performing the circular Hough transform on a set of OD boundary candidates generated through the application of the Prewitt edge detector. The methodology was evaluated on 1200 and 1748 fundus images from the publicly available MESSIDOR and MESSIDOR-2 databases, acquired from diabetic patients and thus being clinical cases of interest within the framework of automated diagnosis of retinal diseases associated to diabetes mellitus. This methodology proved highly accurate in OD-center location: average Euclidean distance between the methodology-provided and actual OD-center position was 6.08, 9.22 and 9.72 pixels for retinas of 910, 1380 and 1455 pixels in size, respectively. On the other hand, OD segmentation evaluation was performed in terms of Jaccard and Dice coefficients, as well as the mean average distance between estimated and actual OD boundaries. Comparison with the results reported by other reviewed OD segmentation methodologies shows our proposal renders better overall performance. Its effectiveness and robustness make this proposed automated OD location and segmentation method a suitable tool to be integrated into a complete prescreening system for early diagnosis of retinal diseases. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Oncology drugs for orphan indications: how are HTA processes evolving for this specific drug category?

PubMed

Adkins, Elizabeth M; Nicholson, Lindsay; Floyd, David; Ratcliffe, Mark; Chevrou-Severac, Helene

2017-01-01

Orphan drugs (ODs) are intended for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of rare diseases. Many cancer subtypes, including all childhood cancers, are defined as rare diseases, and over one-third of ODs are now intended to treat oncology indications. However, market access for oncology ODs is becoming increasingly challenging; ODs are prone to significant uncertainty around their cost-effectiveness, while payers must balance the need for these vital innovations with growing sensitivity to rising costs. The objective of this review was to evaluate different mechanisms that have been introduced to facilitate patient access to oncology ODs in five different countries (Australia, Canada, England, France, and Sweden), using eight oncology ODs and non-orphan oncology drugs as examples of their application. A targeted literature review of health technology assessment (HTA) agency websites was undertaken to identify country-specific guidance and HTA documentation for recently evaluated oncology ODs and non-orphan oncology drugs. None of these countries were found to have explicit HTA criteria for the assessment of ODs, and therefore, oncology ODs are assessed through the usual HTA process. However, distinct and additional processes are adopted to facilitate access to oncology ODs. Review of eight case-study drugs showed that these additional assessment processes were rarely used, and decisions were largely driven by proving cost-effectiveness using standard incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) thresholds. The predominant implication arising from this study is that application of standard HTA criteria to oncology ODs in many countries fails to take into account any uncertainties around their clinical- and cost-effectiveness, resulting in disparities in HTA reimbursement decisions based on differences in addressing or accepting uncertainty. In order to address this issue, HTA agencies should adopt a more flexible approach to cost-effectiveness, as typified by the Tandvårds-och Läkemedelsförmånsverket in Sweden, which takes into account the small patient numbers involved, limited budget impact, and high unmet medical needs.

Oncology drugs for orphan indications: how are HTA processes evolving for this specific drug category?

PubMed Central

Adkins, Elizabeth M; Nicholson, Lindsay; Floyd, David; Ratcliffe, Mark; Chevrou-Severac, Helene

2017-01-01

Orphan drugs (ODs) are intended for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of rare diseases. Many cancer subtypes, including all childhood cancers, are defined as rare diseases, and over one-third of ODs are now intended to treat oncology indications. However, market access for oncology ODs is becoming increasingly challenging; ODs are prone to significant uncertainty around their cost-effectiveness, while payers must balance the need for these vital innovations with growing sensitivity to rising costs. The objective of this review was to evaluate different mechanisms that have been introduced to facilitate patient access to oncology ODs in five different countries (Australia, Canada, England, France, and Sweden), using eight oncology ODs and non-orphan oncology drugs as examples of their application. A targeted literature review of health technology assessment (HTA) agency websites was undertaken to identify country-specific guidance and HTA documentation for recently evaluated oncology ODs and non-orphan oncology drugs. None of these countries were found to have explicit HTA criteria for the assessment of ODs, and therefore, oncology ODs are assessed through the usual HTA process. However, distinct and additional processes are adopted to facilitate access to oncology ODs. Review of eight case-study drugs showed that these additional assessment processes were rarely used, and decisions were largely driven by proving cost-effectiveness using standard incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) thresholds. The predominant implication arising from this study is that application of standard HTA criteria to oncology ODs in many countries fails to take into account any uncertainties around their clinical- and cost-effectiveness, resulting in disparities in HTA reimbursement decisions based on differences in addressing or accepting uncertainty. In order to address this issue, HTA agencies should adopt a more flexible approach to cost-effectiveness, as typified by the Tandvårds-och Läkemedelsförmånsverket in Sweden, which takes into account the small patient numbers involved, limited budget impact, and high unmet medical needs. PMID:28652787

Occupational syncarcinogenesis in the skin - combined effects of two carcinogens from the German occupational disease list.

PubMed

Dickel, Heinrich; Blome, Otto; Dickel, Beate; Bruckner, Thomas; Stockfleth, Eggert; Soemantri, Silas Paras

2016-12-01

Though scientifically undisputed, cutaneous syncarcinogenesis is not reflected in German occupational disease (OD) regulations, which tend to be guided by the tenet of monocausality. Recognition of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and its precursor lesions as OD requires individual assessment as to whether the requirements pursuant to either OD 5103 (occupational exposure to natural UV radiation) or OD 5102 (occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are fulfilled. Retrospective analysis of 28 patients (median age 72.5 years) with NMSC and respective precursor lesions who had been occupationally exposed to natural UV radiation and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. All cases had undergone expert medical assessment between September 2012 and September 2015. According to our assessments, all 28 cases met the occupational requirements pursuant to OD 5103 and 5102. In 26 cases (93 %), we recommended recognition of skin cancer as occupational disease pursuant to both OD 5103 and OD 5102. The competent occupational insurance association (BG) followed our recommendation in four cases. In eight cases, recognition was solely based on OD 5103; in ten cases, only on OD 5102. Four cases were denied recognition. Following adequate cumulative occupational exposure to natural UV light as well as occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, NMSC or its precursor lesions arising in UV-exposed areas should be reported to the competent occupational insurance association as "OD 5103 and 5102 in terms of syncarcinogenesis". Apart from the fact that the ensuing recognition proceedings will be able to more adequately reflect real-life workplace conditions, filing a report pursuant to both ODs also allows for recognition of basal cell carcinoma as occupational disease. According to current regulations, this would not be possible, if the assessment were solely based on OD 5103. © 2016 Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft (DDG). Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Preeclampsia in autologous and oocyte donation pregnancy: is there a different pathophysiology?

PubMed

Lashley, Lisa E E L O; Buurma, Aletta; Swings, Godelieve M J S; Eikmans, Michael; Anholts, Jacqueline D H; Bakker, Jaap A; Claas, Frans H J

2015-06-01

Oocyte donation (OD) is a specific method of artificial reproductive technology that is accompanied by a higher risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy. The pathophysiological mechanism underlying preeclampsia in OD pregnancies is thought to differ from preeclampsia in autologous pregnancies. As preeclampsia in autologous pregnancies is suggested to be associated with complement activation, we studied C4d deposition, circulating complement components and placental complement regulatory proteins in preeclamptic OD pregnancies. Women with uncomplicated and preeclamptic pregnancies after OD or spontaneous conception were selected. We stained the placentas for C4d, marker for complement activation, measured complement factors C1q, C3 and C4 in maternal sera and quantified the placental mRNA expression of complement regulatory proteins CD46, CD55 and CD59. A significantly (p < 0.03) higher incidence of C4d deposition was observed in placentas from women with preeclampsia compared with uncomplicated pregnancies, both OD and autologous. The level of complement factors in serum did not differ between the groups. Children born in the autologous preeclampsia group were significantly lower in birth weight (p < 10th percentile) compared with the preeclamptic OD group. In addition, the placental mRNA expression level of complement regulatory proteins was significantly lower in uncomplicated and preeclamptic OD compared with the autologous pregnancies. In line with autologous preeclampsia pregnancies, there is excessive activation of complement in preeclamptic OD pregnancies. However, in contrast to autologous pregnancies this is not associated with counterbalancing upregulation of complement regulatory proteins. Furthermore, C4d deposition in OD pregnancies is not related to the severity of preeclampsia, suggesting another trigger or regulatory mechanism of placental C4d deposition in preeclamptic OD pregnancies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Frontal Metabolite Concentration Deficits in Opiate Dependence Relate to Substance Use, Cognition, and Self-Regulation

PubMed Central

Murray, Donna E; Durazzo, Timothy C; Schmidt, Thomas P; Abé, Christoph; Guydish, Joseph; Meyerhoff, Dieter J

2016-01-01

Objective Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) in opiate dependence showed abnormalities in neuronal viability and glutamate concentration in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Metabolite levels in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and their neuropsychological correlates have not been investigated in opiate dependence. Methods Single-volume proton MRS at 4 Tesla and neuropsychological testing were conducted in 21 opiate-dependent individuals (OD) on buprenorphine maintenance therapy. Results were compared to 28 controls (CON) and 35 alcohol-dependent individuals (ALC), commonly investigated treatment-seekers providing context for OD evaluation. Metabolite concentrations were measured from ACC, DLPFC, OFC and parieto-occipital cortical (POC) regions. Results Compared to CON, OD had lower concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), glutamate (Glu), creatine +phosphocreatine (Cr) and myo-Inositol (mI) in the DLPFC and lower NAA, Cr, and mI in the ACC. OD, ALC, and CON were equivalent on metabolite levels in the POC and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration did not differ between groups in any region. In OD, prefrontal metabolite deficits in ACC Glu as well as DLPFC NAA and choline containing metabolites (Cho) correlated with poorer working memory, executive and visuospatial functioning; metabolite deficits in DLPFC Glu and ACC GABA and Cr correlated with substance use measures. In the OFC of OD, Glu and choline-containing metabolites were elevated and lower Cr concentration related to higher nonplanning impulsivity. Compared to 3 week abstinent ALC, OD had significant DLPFC metabolite deficits. Conclusion The anterior frontal metabolite profile of OD differed significantly from that of CON and ALC. The frontal lobe metabolite abnormalities in OD and their neuropsychological correlates may play a role in treatment outcome and could be explored as specific targets for improved OD treatment. PMID:27695638

A review of occupational disease surveillance systems in Modernet countries.

PubMed

Carder, M; Bensefa-Colas, L; Mattioli, S; Noone, P; Stikova, E; Valenty, M; Telle-Lamberton, M

2015-11-01

To improve occupational health public policies and to facilitate coordinated research within the European Union to reduce the incidence of occupational diseases (ODs), it is important to know what OD surveillance systems exist and how they compare. Monitoring trends in occupational diseases and tracing new and emerging risks in a network (Modernet) participants are well placed to provide this information as most either contribute data to and/or are involved in the management of OD systems. To identify and describe OD surveillance systems in Modernet countries with the longer-term objective of identifying a core template to be used on a large scale. A questionnaire sent to Modernet participants, seeking structured information about the OD surveillance system(s) in their country. Overall 14 countries (70%) provided information for 33 OD systems, among them 11 compensation-based (CB) systems. Six countries provided information for non-CB systems reporting for any type of OD. The other systems reported either only ODs from a prescribed list, or specific diagnoses or diagnostic groups, with reports to most schemes being physician-based. Data collected varied but all systems collected diagnosis, age, gender, date reported and occupation (and/or industry) and most collected information on exposure. This review provides information beneficial to both policy makers and researchers by identifying data sources useable to measure OD trends in European countries and opening the way to future work, both on trend comparisons within Europe and on the definition of a core template to extend OD surveillance on a larger scale. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

A major locus on mouse chromosome 18 controls XX sex reversal in Odd Sex (Ods) mice.

PubMed

Qin, Yangjun; Poirier, Christophe; Truong, Cavatina; Schumacher, Armin; Agoulnik, Alexander I; Bishop, Colin E

2003-03-01

We have previously reported a dominant mouse mutant, Odd sex (Ods), in which XX Ods/+ mice on the FVB/N background show complete sex reversal, associated with expression of Sox9 in the fetal gonads. Remarkably, when crossed to the A/J strain approximately 95% of the (AXFVB) F(1) XX Ods/+ mice developed as fully fertile, phenotypic females, the remainder developing as males or hermaphrodites. Using a (AXFVB) F(2) population, we conducted a genome-wide linkage scan to identify the number and chromosomal location of potential Ods modifier genes. A single major locus termed Odsm1 was mapped to chromosome 18, tightly linked to D18Mit189 and D18Mit210. Segregation at this locus could account for the presence of sex reversal in 100% of XX Ods/+ mice which develop as males, for the absence of sex reversal in approximately 92% of XX Ods/+ mice which develop as females, and for the mixed sexual phenotype in approximately 72% of XX Ods/+ mice that develop with ambiguous genitalia. We propose that homozygosity for the FVB-derived allele strongly favors Ods sex reversal, whereas homozygosity for the A/J-derived allele inhibits it. In mice heterozygous at Odsm1, the phenotypic outcome, male, female or hermaphrodite, is determined by a complex interaction of several minor modifying loci. The close proximity of Smad2, Smad7 and Smad4 to D18Mit189/210 provides a potential mechanism through which Odsm1 might act.

Changes in cytokinins are sufficient to alter developmental patterns of defense metabolites in Nicotiana attenuata

PubMed Central

Brütting, Christoph; Schäfer, Martin; Vanková, Radomira; Gase, Klaus; Baldwin, Ian T.; Meldau, Stefan

2016-01-01

Plant defense metabolites are well-known to be regulated developmentally. The OD theory posits that a tissue’s fitness values and probability of attack should determine defense metabolite allocations. Young leaves are expected to provide a larger fitness-value to the plant and therefore their defense allocations should be higher when compared to older leaves. The mechanisms which coordinate development with defense remain unknown and frequently confound tests of the OD theory predictions. Here we demonstrate that cytokinins modulate ontogeny-dependent defenses in Nicotiana attenuata. We found that leaf cytokinin levels highly correlate with inducible defense expressions with high levels in young and low levels in older leaves. We genetically manipulated the developmental patterns of two different cytokinin classes by using senescence- and chemically-inducible expression of cytokinin biosynthesis genes. Genetically modifying the levels of different cytokinins in leaves was sufficient to alter ontogenic patterns of defense metabolites. We conclude that the developmental regulation of growth hormones that include cytokinins plays central roles in connecting development with defense and therefore in establishing optimal patterns of defense allocation in plants. PMID:27557345

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of unsubstituted aminobenzoic acids

USGS Publications Warehouse

Abidi, S.L.

1989-01-01

High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) characteristics of three position isomers of aminobenzoic acids (potential metabolites of important anesthetic drugs), were delineated with respect to their interactions with various mobile phases and stationary phases. HPLC with five hydrocarbonaceous phase, I?-cyclodextrin silica (CDS), macrophase MP-1 polymer (MP), macroporous polystyrene/divinylbenzene (MPD), octadecylsilica (ODS), and propylphenylsilica (PPS), yielded results explicable in terms of substituent effects derived from the bifunctional amino- and carboxy groups. For cases where mobile phases contained sulfonates or quaternary ammonium salts both having longer chain alkyls, retention of analytes on all but CDS appeared to proceed predominantly via an ion-pairing mechanism. The extent of the corresponding counter-ion effects decreased in the order: MPD > ODS > PPS > MP, while the analyte retention order paralleled thier pH2 values. On the other hand, an inverse relationship between the magnitude of capacity factors (k') and pK1 values of the title compounds was observed in experiments that produced retention data incompatible with ion-pair interaction rationales. The unique HPLC results obtained with the CDS phase are compared with those obtained with other phases.

Atmospherically Related Studies of O(D-1) and O2 (b'Sigma(sub g, sup +)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slanger, Tom G.

1998-01-01

For the third year of the grant, we propose to investigate the (beta)'(Sigma)(sub g, sup +). Our earlier value of 0.77 +/- 0.23, which has been used for a long time, should be updated, and the error limits reduced. Current measurements in J. Barker's group at the University of Michigan have assigned a value closer to 0.9, and we will conduct a new evaluation. The goals of this project are to investigate various aspects of the photochemistry of O('D) and O2(beta)'(Sigma)(sub g, sup +) that are of relevance to the photochemistry and energy balance of the terrestrial atmosphere. Over the last six months, we have obtained new sky spectra data files from the Keck telescope via Don Osterbrock at UC Santa Cruz, and now 120 hours of data have been accumulated. Thus, we have been able to make large signal/noise improvements of the O2(b'(Sigma)(sub g, sup +) - X(sup 3)(Sigma)(Sub g, sup -) Atmospheric Band data that we are collecting.

Complex Networks Analysis of Manual and Machine Translations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amancio, Diego R.; Antiqueira, Lucas; Pardo, Thiago A. S.; da F. Costa, Luciano; Oliveira, Osvaldo N.; Nunes, Maria G. V.

Complex networks have been increasingly used in text analysis, including in connection with natural language processing tools, as important text features appear to be captured by the topology and dynamics of the networks. Following previous works that apply complex networks concepts to text quality measurement, summary evaluation, and author characterization, we now focus on machine translation (MT). In this paper we assess the possible representation of texts as complex networks to evaluate cross-linguistic issues inherent in manual and machine translation. We show that different quality translations generated by MT tools can be distinguished from their manual counterparts by means of metrics such as in- (ID) and out-degrees (OD), clustering coefficient (CC), and shortest paths (SP). For instance, we demonstrate that the average OD in networks of automatic translations consistently exceeds the values obtained for manual ones, and that the CC values of source texts are not preserved for manual translations, but are for good automatic translations. This probably reflects the text rearrangements humans perform during manual translation. We envisage that such findings could lead to better MT tools and automatic evaluation metrics.

Oxidation And Hot Corrosion Of ODS Alloy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lowell, Carl E.; Barrett, Charles A.

1993-01-01

Report reviews oxidation and hot corrosion of oxide-dispersion-strengthened (ODS) alloys, intended for use at high temperatures. Classifies environmental resistances of such alloys by rates of growth of oxides, volatilities of oxides, spalling of oxides, and limitations imposed by hot corrosion. Also discusses environmentally resistant coatings for ODS materials. Concludes ODS NICrAl and FeCrAl alloys highly resistant to oxidation and corrosion and can be used uncoated.

The oxidation and corrosion of ODS alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lowell, Carl E.; Barrett, Charles A.

1990-01-01

The oxidation and hot corrosion of high temperature oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys are reviewed. The environmental resistance of such alloys are classified by oxide growth rate, oxide volatility, oxide spalling, and hot corrosion limitations. Also discussed are environmentally resistant coatings for ODS materials. It is concluded that ODS NiCrAl and FeCrAl alloys are highly oxidation and corrosion resistant and can probably be used uncoated.

Combustion Engineering, Inc. [LMFBR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1980-01-01

Four (4) 3 '' O.D. x 0.470'' nominal wall thickness (NWT) hot rotary pierced/roll reduced modified AOD/ESR tube hollows were cold pilger reduced through one pass to 2'' O.D. x 0.250'' NWT tubing. Two (2) additional hollows of same size and process history were cold pilger reduced through one pass to 2 1/8'' O.D. x 0.200'' NWT. Six (6) 3 3/4'' O.D. x 0.600'' NWT hot extruded tube hollows were cold pilger reduced through two passes to 2'' O.D. x 0.250'' NWT tubing. Four of the extrusions represented duplex AOD/ESR melting practice and two extrusions represented AOD melting practice. Twelvemore » (12) pieces of 2 1/8'' O.D. x 0.200'' NWT x approx. 9' long tubing were final heat treated, straightened, and ultrasonically tested. Twelve (12) more pieces of 2 1/8'' O.D. tubing have been solution austenitized (1177/sup 0/C) and are to be reaustenitized (1066/sup 0/C), tempered (760/sup 0/C), straightened, and ultrasonically inspected. All 2'' O.D. x 0.250'' NWT tubing is in the solution austenitized condition. Creep and stress rupture testing has continued on aged material from CarTech heat 91887 and on unaged material from CarTech heat 30182A.« less

Profile differences between overdose and non-overdose suicide attempts in a multi-ethnic Asian society.

PubMed

Ho, Cyrus S H; Ong, Y L; Tan, Gabriel H J; Yeo, S N; Ho, Roger C M

2016-11-08

This study explores differences in characteristics of overdose (OD) and non-overdose (NOD) suicide attempts in Singapore. Four hundred eighty-five medical records of people who attempted suicide were extracted from a local general hospital patient database and classified into OD and NOD groups. Differences in socio-demographic factors, suicide characteristics and hospital admission types between both groups were examined. Indians were more likely than the Chinese and Malays to employ OD method in their attempts. More suicide attempts in the OD group than NOD group were self-reported. The most likely place for suicide attempts for both groups was at home, though more NOD suicide attempts were in public areas as compared to the OD group. Analgesics were the most used substance in the OD group. Those who attempted suicide using OD had a higher number of psychiatric ward admissions than the NOD group. Risk and protective factors varied between both groups. Differences in socio-demographics, suicide characteristics and admission characteristics between OD and NOD groups were observed. Recommendations for suicide prevention in the community are discussed. Further studies on the mediators and moderators of these trends and characteristics of suicide attempts are necessary to ensure maximal efficacy of prevention and management.

Transanal surgery for obstructed defecation syndrome: Literature review and a single-center experience

PubMed Central

Liu, Wei-Cheng; Wan, Song-Lin; Yaseen, SM; Ren, Xiang-Hai; Tian, Cui-Ping; Ding, Zhao; Zheng, Ken-Yan; Wu, Yun-Hua; Jiang, Cong-Qing; Qian, Qun

2016-01-01

Obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) is a functional disorder commonly encountered by colorectal surgeons and gastroenterologists, and greatly affects the quality of life of patients from both societal and psychological aspects. The underlying anatomical and pathophysiological changes of ODS are complex. However, intra-rectal intussusception and rectocele are frequently found in patients with ODS and both are thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ODS. With the development of evaluation methods in anorectal physiology laboratories and radiology studies, a great variety of new operative procedures, especially transanal procedures, have been invented to treat ODS. However, no procedure has been proved to be superior to others at present. Each operation has its own merits and defects. Thus, choosing appropriate transanal surgical procedures for the treatment of ODS remains a challenge for all surgeons. This review provides an introduction of the current problems and options for treatment of ODS and a detailed summary of the essential assessments needed for patient evaluation before carrying out transanal surgery. Besides, an overview of the benefits and problems of current transanal surgical procedures for treatment of ODS is summarized in this review. A report of clinical experience of some transanal surgical techniques used in the authors’ center is also presented. PMID:27672293

Vitamin C deficiency exerts paradoxical cardiovascular effects in osteogenic disorder Shionogi (ODS) rats.

PubMed

Vergely, Catherine; Goirand, Françoise; Ecarnot-Laubriet, Aline; Renard, Céline; Moreau, Daniel; Guilland, Jean-Claude; Dumas, Monique; Rochette, Luc

2004-04-01

Vitamin C is considered to be a very efficient water-soluble antioxidant, for which several new cardiovascular properties were recently described. The aim of this study was to determine in vivo the effects of a severe depletion of vitamin C on cardiac and vascular variables and reperfusion arrhythmias. For this purpose, we used a mutant strain of Wistar rats, osteogenic disorder Shionogi (ODS). After 15 d of consuming a vitamin C-deficient diet, ODS rats had a 90% decrease in plasma and tissue levels of ascorbate compared with ODS vitamin C-supplemented rats and normal Wistar rats. However, plasma antioxidant capacity, proteins, alpha-tocopherol, urate, catecholamines, lipids, and nitrate were not influenced by the vitamin C deficiency in ODS rats. Moreover, there was no difference between ODS vitamin C-deficient and -supplemented rats in heart rate and arterial pressure. After 5 min of an in vivo regional myocardial ischemia, various severe arrhythmias were observed, but their intensities were not modified by vitamin C in vitamin C-deficient ODS rats. The vascular reactivity, measured in vitro on thoracic arteries, was not altered by ascorbate deficiency in ODS rats. These unexpected results suggest that unidentified compensatory mechanisms play a role in maintaining normal cardiac function and vascular reactivity in vitamin C-deficient rats.

Transanal surgery for obstructed defecation syndrome: Literature review and a single-center experience.

PubMed

Liu, Wei-Cheng; Wan, Song-Lin; Yaseen, S M; Ren, Xiang-Hai; Tian, Cui-Ping; Ding, Zhao; Zheng, Ken-Yan; Wu, Yun-Hua; Jiang, Cong-Qing; Qian, Qun

2016-09-21

Obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) is a functional disorder commonly encountered by colorectal surgeons and gastroenterologists, and greatly affects the quality of life of patients from both societal and psychological aspects. The underlying anatomical and pathophysiological changes of ODS are complex. However, intra-rectal intussusception and rectocele are frequently found in patients with ODS and both are thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ODS. With the development of evaluation methods in anorectal physiology laboratories and radiology studies, a great variety of new operative procedures, especially transanal procedures, have been invented to treat ODS. However, no procedure has been proved to be superior to others at present. Each operation has its own merits and defects. Thus, choosing appropriate transanal surgical procedures for the treatment of ODS remains a challenge for all surgeons. This review provides an introduction of the current problems and options for treatment of ODS and a detailed summary of the essential assessments needed for patient evaluation before carrying out transanal surgery. Besides, an overview of the benefits and problems of current transanal surgical procedures for treatment of ODS is summarized in this review. A report of clinical experience of some transanal surgical techniques used in the authors' center is also presented.

Evaluation of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) laboratory testing and the 4Ts scoring system in the intensive care unit.

PubMed

Pierce, Wesly; Mazur, Joseph; Greenberg, Charles; Mueller, Joan; Foster, Joyce; Lazarchick, John

2013-01-01

Over-diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) results in costly and unnecessary laboratory screening and treatment with direct thrombin inhibitors. Our aim was to evaluate the utility of the 4Ts scoring system to predict HIT in multiple ICU settings and to characterize our treatment of these cases. Eighty-two patients from multiple ICU settings who underwent laboratory testing for HIT were classified as low-, intermediate-, or high-risk patients based on retrospectively adjudicated 4Ts scores. These results were compared with platelet-factor 4 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (PF4 ELISAs), optical density (OD) values, and serotonin-release assays (SRAs) to assess the utility of the 4Ts score to rule out ICU-related HIT and reduce laboratory and drug expenditures. Of the 82 patients reviewed, only 12 (11.4%) were PF4-positive and only 1 (1.2%) was SRA-positive for HIT. Heparin was discontinued in only 63.4% of patients suspected to have HIT. There were no significant differences in mean day of platelet fall, mean platelet nadir, and mean percent fall in platelet count between PF4-positive and negative patients (all p > 0.2). There was, however, a significantly higher proportion of patients with an intermediate to high 4Ts score in the PF4-positive group than in the PF4-negative group (66% vs. 30%, respectively; p = 0.02). The mean PF4 OD value in patients with intermediate to high 4Ts scores was significantly higher than in patients with low 4Ts scores (0.658 vs. 0.258, respectively; p < 0.001). The negative predictive values of the 4Ts score relative to the PF4 and SRA were 92% and 100%, respectively. The estimated laboratory and pharmacologic cost avoidance potential of the scoring system in this cohort was $21,450. Our modified 4Ts scoring system appears to be an effective tool for predicting HIT in the ICU and could avoid significant drug and laboratory expenditures if implemented prospectively. The clinical management of patients suspected of HIT is highly variable at our institution. Clinical protocols and education encouraging the proper identification and treatment of suspected HIT need to be established.

Gas density effect on dropsize of simulated fuel sprays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ingebo, Robert D.

1989-01-01

Two-phase flow in pneumatic two-fluid fuel nozzles was investigated experimentally to determine the effect of atomizing-gas density and gas mass-flux on liquid-jet breakup in sonic-velocity gas-flow. Dropsize data were obtained for the following atomizing-gases: nitrogen; argon; carbon dioxide; and helium. They were selected to cover a gas molecular-weight range of 4 to 44. Atomizing-gas mass-flux ranged from 6 to 50 g/sq cm-sec and four differently sized two-fluid fuel nozzles were used having orifice diameters that varied from 0.32 to 0.56 cm. The ratio of liquid-jet diameter to SMD, D sub o/D sub 32, was correlated with aerodynamic and liquid-surface forces based on the product of the Weber and Reynolds number, We*Re, and gas-to-liquid density ratio, rho sub g/rho sub l. To correlate spray dropsize with breakup forces produced by using different atomizing-gases, a new molecular-scale dimensionless group was derived. The derived dimensionless group was used to obtain an expression for the ratio of liquid-jet diameter to SMD, D sub o/D sub 32. The mathematical expression of this phenomenon incorporates the product of the Weber and Reynolds number, liquid viscosity, surface tension, acoustic gas velocity, the RMS velocity of gas molecules, the acceleration of gas molecules due to gravity, and gas viscosity. The mathematical expression encompassing these parameters agrees well with the atomization theory for liquid-jet breakup in high velocity gas flow. Also, it was found that at the same gas mass-flux, helium was considerably more effective than nitrogen in producing small droplet sprays with SMD's in the order of 5 micrometers.

Canine Antithrombin-III: Some Biochemical and Biologic Properties

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-06-02

performing amino acid analyses, amino acid sequence analysis, and differential refractometry . I thank Ms. Kerry Singer for her excellent typing and...previously determined by differential refractometry at 546 nm, with a value of 0.186 ml/g for dn/dc (refractive index increment) (69). 20 •, "• 11...J ;,.-0 t.! ’ > ~ +-’ :I c: ... Q) :::J ~ w Protein concentration by refractometry = 8.29 mg/ml O.D. value at 280 nm (1:10 dilution

Orally Administered Bioadherent Sustained Release Microencapsulated Vaccines

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-09-01

ml flask culture (MMY media) was inoculated with a recombinant Pichia yeast clone containing the vpB gene integrated at the alcohol oxidase (AOX...measured. 6 DAMD17-95-C-5099 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Materials vpB is expressed in Pichia yeast and isolated and purified as described below. SEA...locus in the Pichia genome. The culture was grown at 30"C for approximately 48 hours until an optical density ( OD 650) of 3.0 was reached. The culture

Temperature-Jump Relaxation Kinetics at Liquid/Solid Interfaces: Fluorescence Thermometry of Porous Silica Heated by a Joule Discharge

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-05-22

for understanding reaction mechanisms responsible for the steady-state behavior and determining the dispersion of rates in cases where inhomogeneities...derivatized by the following procedure. Three grams of the silica was placed in a dry reaction vessel consisting of a three neck flask, addition funnel...to the reaction vessel , taking care to avoid contact with the air. A five-fold molar equivalent excess of ODS (based on the silanol 8 density of the

Comparison of magnetic field effects on the growth of Staphylococcus Aureus and Staphylococcus Epidermidis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Do, Kevin; Masood, Samina

The effects of magnetic fields were investigated on two species of bacteria: Staphylococcus Aureus and Staphylococcus Epidermidis. Both cultures were grown independently in agar plates and nutrient broth with exposure to various conditions of static and oscillating magnetic fields. The effects were characterized by growth rate measurements via changes in optical density (OD) over incubation periods of 24-28 hours. Significant effects on the growth rates of both species were observed in the case of the time-varying magnetic field.

Prevention of Breast Cancer Cell Transformation by Blockade of the AP-1 Transcription Factor

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-10-01

methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazo-lium) and PMS ( phenazine methosulfate) was added to the cells for 2 hours at 370 C and absorption at 495 nm...methoxyphenyl)- 2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium neo neomycin transferase nm nanometer O.D. Optical Density PMS phenazine methosulfate rtTA reverse...dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3- carboxy-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazo-lium) and PMS ( phenazine methosulfate) was added to the cells for 2

Complete factorial design to adjust pH and sugar concentrations in the inoculum phase of Ralstonia solanacearum to optimize P(3HB) production

PubMed Central

Alves, Mariane Igansi; Rodrigues, Amanda Ávila; Furlan, Lígia; da Silva Rodrigues, Rosane; Diaz de Oliveira, Patrícia; Vendruscolo, Claire Tondo; da Silveira Moreira, Angelita

2017-01-01

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) is a biodegradable plastic biopolymer that accumulates as lipophilic inclusions in the cytoplasm of some microorganisms. The biotechnological process by which P(3HB) is synthesized occurs in two phases. The first phase involves cell growth in a complex culture medium, while the second phase involves polymer accumulation in the presence of excess carbon sources. As such, the efficiency of the second phase depends on the first phase. The aim of this study was to evaluate culture media with different concentrations of sucrose and glucose and different pH values in the inoculum phase of Ralstonia solanacearum RS with the intention of identifying methods by which the biomass yield could be increased, subsequently enhancing the yield of P(3HB). The culture medium was formulated according to the experimental planning type of central composite rotational design 22. The independent variables were pH and sugar concentration (sucrose and glucose), and the dependent variables were OD600nm, dry cell weight (DCW), and P(3HB) yield. The highest cell growth, estimated by the OD600nm (20.6) and DCW (5.35) values, was obtained when sucrose was used in the culture medium at a concentration above 35 g.L-1 in combination with an acidic pH. High polymer (45%) accumulation was also achieved under these conditions. Using glucose, the best results for OD600nm (12.5) and DCW (2.74) were also obtained at acidic pH but with a sugar concentration at the minimum values evaluated. Due to the significant accumulation of polymer in the cells that were still in the growth phase, the accumulating microorganism P(3HB) Ralstonia solanacearum RS can be classified as having type II metabolism in relation to the polymer accumulation phase, which is different from other Ralstonia spp. studied until this time. PMID:28704411

[Preparation of vanilline cross-linked rhBMP-2/chitosan microspheres and its effect on mesenchymal stem cells].

PubMed

Wu, Gui; Wang, Hai; Qiu, Guixing; Yu, Xin; Su, Xinlin; Ma, Pei; Yin, Bo; Wu, Zhihong

2015-06-02

To prepare rhBMP-2/chitosan microspheres (rhBMP-2 CMs) with vanilline as a cross-linking reagent and study the biocompatibility and drug release characteristic of microspheres in vitro. Emulsion cross-linking method was utilized to prepare rhBMP-2 CMs, Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the microstructure of microspheres.Leaching solution of microspheres and blank culture medium were designated as experimental and control groups respectively. Both groups were cultured with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to determine its cytotoxicity and its effect on the proliferation of hMSCs. Dynamic immersion method was used to examine the in vitro release characteristic of rhBMP-2. And the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of hMSCs was determined to reveal the bioactivity of released rhBMP-2. The rhBMP-2 CMs were spherical under SEM.After treating with leaching solution for 24 and 48 h, there was no inter-group statistical difference in optical density (OD) values at both timepoints (24 h:0.72 ± 0.07 vs 0.73 ± 0.05, P > 0.05; 48 h:1.19 ± 0.11 vs 1.27 ± 0.06, P > 0.05). After culturing with leaching solution for 1, 3 and 7 days, the number of cells increased with time for both groups. And the OD values were not statistically different at each timepoint. Five milligram rhBMP-2 CMs soaked for 19 days with a gradual release of rhBMP-2. The concentration of rhBMP-2 was 216.1 ± 20.0 ng/ml at Day 19. At Days 3 and 7, the ALP activities of hMSCs were (0.50 ± 0.07) and (0.68 ± 0.06) µmol pNPP·min⁻¹·mg⁻¹ protein respectively and both were higher than that of blank culture medium group (0.14 ± 0.01) (P < 0.05). With an excellent biocompatibility, rhBMP-2 CMs may be an ideal carrier for control-released rhBMP-2 and encapsulated rhBMP-2 remains bioactive.

The Use of Orientation/Decision/Do/Discuss/Reflect (OD3R) Method to Increase Critical Thinking Skill and Practical Skill in Biochemistry Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anwar, Yunita Arian Sani; Senam, Senam; Laksono, Endang W.

2018-01-01

We have developed an OD3R method that can be applied on Biochemistry learning. This OD3R consists of 5 phases: orientation, decision, do, discuss, and reflect to connect lessons in the class with practice in the laboratory. Implementation of OD3R method was done in 2 universities in Yogyakarta to increase critical thinking skill and practical…

OD in North American Schools: A Scandinavian View, with Comments by Matthew Miles and Michael Fullan. Uppsala Reports on Education, No. 20.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berg, Gunnar

This report discusses the structural conditions under which organizational development (OD), as employed in the school systems of the United States and Canada, is more or less applicable to schools. The first section (chapters 1-6) reviews papers and books, concerning either OD in general or the ways in which the ideas of OD have been used in the…

Octadecylsilane hybrid silicas prepared by the sol-gel method: morphological and textural aspects.

PubMed

Brambilla, Rodrigo; Pires, Gilvan P; dos Santos, João H Z; Lacerda Miranda, Márcia S

2007-08-15

A series of octadecylsilane-modified silicas was prepared by the sol-gel method through the hydrolysis and cocondensation of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) with octadecyltriethoxysilane (ODS). The ODS:TEOS ratio was varied between 0:100 and 100:0. The resulting carbon content was between 2.5 and 53.4%. In the case of pure ODS, the resulting silica presented 68.6% of C. Hybrid silicas were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and (29)Si nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Spheres of ca. 0.5-1.0 microm were obtained in the case of hydrolysis of pure TEOS. The combination of ODS:TEOS ratio yielded systems combining spherical and lamellar patterns zones. Monitoring the particle growth, it seems that spherical particles grow around lamellar zones, these latter concentrating the organosilicon moieties. The degree of cross-linking of ODS moieties was shown to be dependent on the ODS addition time and stirring speed.

Generalizing the transition from amplitude to oscillation death in coupled oscillators.

PubMed

Zou, Wei; Senthilkumar, D V; Koseska, Aneta; Kurths, Jürgen

2013-11-01

Amplitude death (AD) and oscillation death (OD) are two structurally different oscillation quenching types in coupled nonlinear oscillators. The transition from AD to OD has been recently realized due to the interplay between heterogeneity and coupling strength [A. Koseska et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 024103 (2013)]. We identify here the transition from AD to OD in nonlinear oscillators with couplings of distinct natures. It is demonstrated that the presence of time delay in the coupling cannot induce such a transition in identical oscillators, but it can indeed facilitate its occurrence with a low degree of heterogeneity. Moreover, it is further shown that the AD to OD transition is reliably observed in identical oscillators with dynamic and conjugate couplings. The coexistence of AD and OD and rich stable OD configurations after the transition are revealed, which are of great significance for potential applications in physics, biology, and control studies.

Detection of Tuberculosis in HIV-Infected and -Uninfected African Adults Using Whole Blood RNA Expression Signatures: A Case-Control Study

PubMed Central

Anderson, Suzanne T.; Bangani, Nonzwakazi; Banwell, Claire M.; Brent, Andrew J.; Crampin, Amelia C.; Dockrell, Hazel M.; Eley, Brian; Heyderman, Robert S.; Hibberd, Martin L.; Kern, Florian; Langford, Paul R.; Ling, Ling; Mendelson, Marc; Ottenhoff, Tom H.; Zgambo, Femia; Wilkinson, Robert J.; Coin, Lachlan J.; Levin, Michael

2013-01-01

Background A major impediment to tuberculosis control in Africa is the difficulty in diagnosing active tuberculosis (TB), particularly in the context of HIV infection. We hypothesized that a unique host blood RNA transcriptional signature would distinguish TB from other diseases (OD) in HIV-infected and -uninfected patients, and that this could be the basis of a simple diagnostic test. Methods and Findings Adult case-control cohorts were established in South Africa and Malawi of HIV-infected or -uninfected individuals consisting of 584 patients with either TB (confirmed by culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis [M.TB] from sputum or tissue sample in a patient under investigation for TB), OD (i.e., TB was considered in the differential diagnosis but then excluded), or healthy individuals with latent TB infection (LTBI). Individuals were randomized into training (80%) and test (20%) cohorts. Blood transcriptional profiles were assessed and minimal sets of significantly differentially expressed transcripts distinguishing TB from LTBI and OD were identified in the training cohort. A 27 transcript signature distinguished TB from LTBI and a 44 transcript signature distinguished TB from OD. To evaluate our signatures, we used a novel computational method to calculate a disease risk score (DRS) for each patient. The classification based on this score was first evaluated in the test cohort, and then validated in an independent publically available dataset (GSE19491). In our test cohort, the DRS classified TB from LTBI (sensitivity 95%, 95% CI [87–100]; specificity 90%, 95% CI [80–97]) and TB from OD (sensitivity 93%, 95% CI [83–100]; specificity 88%, 95% CI [74–97]). In the independent validation cohort, TB patients were distinguished both from LTBI individuals (sensitivity 95%, 95% CI [85–100]; specificity 94%, 95% CI [84–100]) and OD patients (sensitivity 100%, 95% CI [100–100]; specificity 96%, 95% CI [93–100]). Limitations of our study include the use of only culture confirmed TB patients, and the potential that TB may have been misdiagnosed in a small proportion of OD patients despite the extensive clinical investigation used to assign each patient to their diagnostic group. Conclusions In our study, blood transcriptional signatures distinguished TB from other conditions prevalent in HIV-infected and -uninfected African adults. Our DRS, based on these signatures, could be developed as a test for TB suitable for use in HIV endemic countries. Further evaluation of the performance of the signatures and DRS in prospective populations of patients with symptoms consistent with TB will be needed to define their clinical value under operational conditions. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary PMID:24167453

Using sky radiances measured by ground based AERONET Sun-Radiometers for cirrus cloud detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sinyuk, A.; Holben, B. N.; Eck, T. F.; Slutsker, I.; Lewis, J. R.

2013-12-01

Screening of cirrus clouds using observations of optical depth (OD) only has proven to be a difficult task due mostly to some clouds having temporally and spatially stable OD. On the other hand, the sky radiances measurements which in AERONET protocol are taken throughout the day may contain additional cloud information. In this work the potential of using sky radiances for cirrus cloud detection is investigated. The detection is based on differences in the angular shape of sky radiances due to cirrus clouds and aerosol (see Figure). The range of scattering angles from 3 to 6 degrees was selected due to two primary reasons: high sensitivity to cirrus clouds presence, and close proximity to the Sun. The angular shape of sky radiances was parametrized by its curvature, which is a parameter defined as a combination of the first and second derivatives as a function of scattering angle. We demonstrate that a slope of the logarithm of curvature versus logarithm of scattering angle in this selected range of scattering angles is sensitive to cirrus cloud presence. We also demonstrate that restricting the values of the slope below some threshold value can be used for cirrus cloud screening. The threshold value of the slope was estimated using collocated measurements of AERONET data and MPLNET lidars.

Simultaneous macula detection and optic disc boundary segmentation in retinal fundus images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Girard, Fantin; Kavalec, Conrad; Grenier, Sébastien; Ben Tahar, Houssem; Cheriet, Farida

2016-03-01

The optic disc (OD) and the macula are important structures in automatic diagnosis of most retinal diseases inducing vision defects such as glaucoma, diabetic or hypertensive retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. We propose a new method to detect simultaneously the macula and the OD boundary. First, the color fundus images are processed to compute several maps highlighting the different anatomical structures such as vessels, the macula and the OD. Then, macula candidates and OD candidates are found simultaneously and independently using seed detectors identified on the corresponding maps. After selecting a set of macula/OD pairs, the top candidates are sent to the OD segmentation method. The segmentation method is based on local K-means applied to color coordinates in polar space followed by a polynomial fitting regularization step. Pair scores are updated, resulting in the final best macula/OD pair. The method was evaluated on two public image databases: ONHSD and MESSIDOR. The results show an overlapping area of 0.84 on ONHSD and 0.90 on MESSIDOR, which is better than recent state of the art methods. Our segmentation method is robust to contrast and illumination problems and outputs the exact boundary of the OD, not just a circular or elliptical model. The macula detection has an accuracy of 94%, which again outperforms other macula detection methods. This shows that combining the OD and macula detections improves the overall accuracy. The computation time for the whole process is 6.4 seconds, which is faster than other methods in the literature.

Chemical engineering and structural and pharmacological characterization of the α-scorpion toxin OD1.

PubMed

Durek, Thomas; Vetter, Irina; Wang, Ching-I Anderson; Motin, Leonid; Knapp, Oliver; Adams, David J; Lewis, Richard J; Alewood, Paul F

2013-01-01

Scorpion α-toxins are invaluable pharmacological tools for studying voltage-gated sodium channels, but few structure-function studies have been undertaken due to their challenging synthesis. To address this deficiency, we report a chemical engineering strategy based upon native chemical ligation. The chemical synthesis of α-toxin OD1 was achieved by chemical ligation of three unprotected peptide segments. A high resolution X-ray structure (1.8 Å) of synthetic OD1 showed the typical βαββ α-toxin fold and revealed important conformational differences in the pharmacophore region when compared with other α-toxin structures. Pharmacological analysis of synthetic OD1 revealed potent α-toxin activity (inhibition of fast inactivation) at Nav1.7, as well as Nav1.4 and Nav1.6. In addition, OD1 also produced potent β-toxin activity at Nav1.4 and Nav1.6 (shift of channel activation in the hyperpolarizing direction), indicating that OD1 might interact at more than one site with Nav1.4 and Nav1.6. Investigation of nine OD1 mutants revealed that three residues in the reverse turn contributed significantly to selectivity, with the triple OD1 mutant (D9K, D10P, K11H) being 40-fold more selective for Nav1.7 over Nav1.6, while OD1 K11V was 5-fold more selective for Nav1.6 than Nav1.7. This switch in selectivity highlights the importance of the reverse turn for engineering α-toxins with altered selectivity at Nav subtypes.

High cell density cultivation and recombinant protein production with Escherichia coli in a rocking-motion-type bioreactor

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Single-use rocking-motion-type bag bioreactors provide advantages compared to standard stirred tank bioreactors by decreased contamination risks, reduction of cleaning and sterilization time, lower investment costs, and simple and cheaper validation. Currently, they are widely used for cell cultures although their use for small and medium scale production of recombinant proteins with microbial hosts might be very attractive. However, the utilization of rocking- or wave-induced motion-type bioreactors for fast growing aerobic microbes is limited because of their lower oxygen mass transfer rate. A conventional approach to reduce the oxygen demand of a culture is the fed-batch technology. New developments, such as the BIOSTAT® CultiBag RM system pave the way for applying advanced fed-batch control strategies also in rocking-motion-type bioreactors. Alternatively, internal substrate delivery systems such as EnBase® Flo provide an opportunity for adopting simple to use fed-batch-type strategies to shaken cultures. Here, we investigate the possibilities which both strategies offer in view of high cell density cultivation of E. coli and recombinant protein production. Results Cultivation of E. coli in the BIOSTAT® CultiBag RM system in a conventional batch mode without control yielded an optical density (OD600) of 3 to 4 which is comparable to shake flasks. The culture runs into oxygen limitation. In a glucose limited fed-batch culture with an exponential feed and oxygen pulsing, the culture grew fully aerobically to an OD600 of 60 (20 g L-1 cell dry weight). By the use of an internal controlled glucose delivery system, EnBase® Flo, OD600 of 30 (10 g L-1 cell dry weight) is obtained without the demand of computer controlled external nutrient supply. EnBase® Flo also worked well in the CultiBag RM system with a recombinant E. coli RB791 strain expressing a heterologous alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) to very high levels, indicating that the enzyme based feed supply strategy functions well for recombinant protein production also in a rocking-motion-type bioreactor. Conclusions Rocking-motion-type bioreactors may provide an interesting alternative to standard cultivation in bioreactors for cultivation of bacteria and recombinant protein production. The BIOSTAT® Cultibag RM system with the single-use sensors and advanced control system paves the way for the fed-batch technology also to rocking-motion-type bioreactors. It is possible to reach cell densities which are far above shake flasks and typical for stirred tank reactors with the improved oxygen transfer rate. For more simple applications the EnBase® Flo method offers an easy and robust solution for rocking-motion-systems which do not have such advanced control possibilities. PMID:20509968

Organization Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huse, Edgar F.

1978-01-01

Organization Development (OD) is the application of behavioral-science knowledge to enhance an organization's effectiveness and efficiency. This article discusses the evolution of organization development, the basic components of an OD program, typologies of OD interventions, problems with organization development, and organization development in…

Hindering factors and suggestions related to organ donation decisions: perspective of the Taiwan Ali-Shan Tsou aboriginal tribe.

PubMed

Chen, A N; Chen, K F; Chang, P C; Shih, F Jong; Chen, C R; Shih, F-Jin; Huang, C-Y

2014-05-01

Ali-San Tsou (AST) is one of leading aboriginal tribes in Taiwan with traditional godly beliefs related to life and death. Lacking related knowledge, health professionals (HPs) often failed to help them reach good dying or organ donation (OD). This study aimed to explore hindering factors and suggestions related to OD for good dying from Taiwan AST's own perspective. An explorative qualitative design was employed using a purposive sample of the AST tribes from Taiwan. Data were collected with AST residents by face-to-face interviews and analyzed by content analysis. Thirty AST residents (16 females and 14 males) with ages ranging from 28 to 78 (mean, 54.5) years completed interviews. Of them, 85% reported various diseases. In this study 73% were Catholics and Christians, 17% held traditional godly believes, and 10% had no religious affiliation. Eight hindering factors were reported: (1) limited information about organs and OD; (2) no qualified organs for donation; (3) worry about lack of forgiveness by ancestors; (4) tribe elders who might not accept concept of OD; (5) intact bodies were required at home during spirit-companion rituals; (6) earth burial with intact bodies was preferred; (7) bodies due to accidental and bad death were impermissible for OD; and (8) worry about possession by the donor's spirit. Seven suggestions were also reported for HPs to enhance AST's OD decisions: (1) starting with friendship and a caring relationship; (2) providing spiritual support from reverent religions; (3) stressing good deeds and honoring tribe folks by OD; (4) avoiding accidental/bad death; (5) providing relevant modern medical knowledge of human organs and OD; (6) introducing OD as part of a good-dying care plan; and (7) demonstrating a respectful discussion mindset about OD. Eight hindering factors and 7 types of suggestions for enhancing AST aboriginal people's OD decisions were first explored in this project. In the future, HPs are encouraged to invite AST to share the concepts of OT and try to clarify the related concerns with respect for their cultural contexts. With mutual respect, the efforts of sharing and integrating OD into good-dying care would be more possible. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Immobilization of Cellulase from Bacillus subtilis UniMAP-KB01 on Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes for Biofuel Production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naresh, Sandrasekaran; Hoong Shuit, Siew; Kunasundari, Balakrishnan; Hoo Peng, Yong; Qi, Hwa Ng; Teoh, Yi Peng

2018-03-01

Bacillus subtilis UniMAP-KB01, a cellulase producer was isolated from Malaysian mangrove soil. Through morphological identification it was observed that the B. subtilis appears to be in rod shaped and identified as a gram positive bacterium. Growth profile of isolated B. subtilis was established by measuring optical density (OD) at 600 nm for every 1 hour intervals. Polymath software was employed to plot the growth profile and the non-linear plot established gave the precision value of linear regression, R2 of 0.9602, root mean square deviation (RMSD) of 0.0176 and variance of 0.0025. The hydrolysis capacity testing revealed the cellulolytic index of 2.83 ± 0.46 after stained with Gram’s Iodine. The harvested crude enzyme after 24 hours incubation in carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) broth at 45°C and 100 RPM, was tested for enzyme activity. Through Filter Paper Assay (FPA), the cellulase activity was calculated to be 0.05 U/mL. The hydrolysis capacity testing and FPA shown an acceptable value for thermophilic bacterial enzyme activity. Thus, this isolated strain reasoned to be potential for producing thermostable cellulase which will be immobilized onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes and the cellulolytic activity will be characterized for biofuel production.

In vivo prostacyclin biosynthesis and effects of different aspirin regimens in patients with essential thrombocythaemia.

PubMed

Cavalca, V; Rocca, B; Squellerio, I; Dragani, A; Veglia, F; Pagliaccia, F; Porro, B; Barbieri, S S; Tremoli, E; Patrono, C

2014-07-03

Essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is characterised by enhanced platelet generation and thrombosis. Once daily (od) aspirin incompletely inhibits platelet thromboxane (TX)A2 production in ET. A twice daily (bid) dosing is necessary to fully inhibit TXA2. Whether this dosing regimen affects in vivo prostacyclin (PGI2) biosynthesis is unknown. PGI2 biosynthesis was characterised in 50 ET patients on enteric-coated (EC) aspirin 100 mg od, by measuring its urinary metabolite, 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1α (PGI-M). Moreover, in a crossover study 22 patients poorly responsive to standard aspirin based on serum TXB2 levels (≥4 ng/ml) were randomised to different seven-day aspirin regimens: EC aspirin 100 mg od, 100 mg bid, 200 mg od, or plain aspirin 100 mg od. PGI-M measured 24 hours after the last aspirin intake (EC, 100 mg od) was similar in patients and healthy subjects both on (n=10) and off (n=30) aspirin. PGI-M was unrelated to in vivo TXA2 biosynthesis, and not affected by EC aspirin 100 mg bid or 200 mg od as compared to EC 100 mg od. PGI2 biosynthesis in aspirin-treated ET patients appears unrelated to TXA2 biosynthesis, and not affected by an improved aspirin regimen, demonstrating its vascular safety for future trials.

Preventing Aggregation of Recombinant Interferon beta-1b in Solution by Additives: Approach to an Albumin-Free Formulation

PubMed Central

Mahjoubi, Najmeh; Fazeli, Mohammad Reza; Dinarvand, Rassoul; Khoshayand, Mohammad Reza; Fazeli, Ahmad; Taghavian, Mohammad; Rastegar, Hossein

2015-01-01

Purpose: Aggregation suppressing additives have been used to stabilize proteins during manufacturing and storage. Interferonβ-1b is prone to aggregation because of being non-glycosylated. Aggregation behavior of albumin-free formulations of recombinant IFNβ-1b was explored using additives such as n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside, Tween 20, arginine, glycine, trehalose and sucrose at different pH. Methods: Fractional factorial design was applied to select major factors affecting aggregation in solutions. Box-Behnken technique was used to optimize the best concentration of additives and protein. Results: Quadratic model was the best fitted model for particle size, OD350 and OD280/OD260. The optimal conditions of 0.2% n-Dodecyl-β-D-maltoside, 70 mM arginine, 189 mM trehalose and protein concentration of 0.50 mg/ml at pH 4 were achieved. A potency value of 91% ± 5% was obtained for the optimized formulation. Conclusion: This study shows that the combination of n-Dodecyl-β-D-maltoside, arginine and trehalose would demonstrate a significant stabilizing and anti-aggregating effect on the liquid formulation of interferonβ-1b. It can not only reduce the manufacturing costs but will also ease patient compliance. PMID:26819922

Surface chemistry and catalytic properties of VOX/Ti-MCM-41 catalysts for dibenzothiophene oxidation in a biphasic system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

González, J.; Chen, L. F.; Wang, J. A.; Manríquez, Ma.; Limas, R.; Schachat, P.; Navarrete, J.; Contreras, J. L.

2016-08-01

A series of vanadium oxide supported on Ti-MCM-41 catalysts was synthesized via the incipient impregnation method by varying the vanadia loading from 5 wt% to 10, 15, 20 and 25 wt%. These catalysts were characterized by a variety of advanced techniques for investigating their crystalline structure, textural properties, and surface chemistry information including surface acidity, reducibility, vanadium oxidation states, and morphological features. The catalytic activities of the catalysts were evaluated in a biphasic reaction system for oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of a model diesel containing 300 ppm of dibenzothiophene (DBT) where acetonitrile was used as extraction solvent and H2O2 as oxidant. ODS activity was found to be proportional to the V5+/(V4+ + V5+) values of the catalysts, indicating that the surface vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) was the active phase. Reaction temperature would influence significantly the ODS efficiency; high temperature, i.e., 80 °C, would lead to low ODS reaction due to the partial decomposition of oxidant. All the catalysts contained both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites but the former was predominant. The catalysts with low vanadia loading (5 or 10 wt%V2O5) had many Lewis acid sites and could strongly adsorb DBT molecule via the electron donation/acceptance action which resulted in an inhibition for the reaction of DBT with the surface peroxometallic species. The catalyst with high vanadia loading (25wt%V2O5/Ti-MCM-41) showed the highest catalytic activity and could remove 99.9% of DBT at 60 °C within 60 min.

Comparison of a step-down dose of once-daily ciclesonide with a continued dose of twice-daily fluticasone propionate in maintaining control of asthma.

PubMed

Knox, A; Langan, J; Martinot, J-B; Gruss, C; Häfner, D

2007-10-01

To compare a step-down approach in well-controlled asthma patients, as recommended by treatment guidelines, from fluticasone propionate 250 microg twice daily (FP250 BID), or equivalent, to ciclesonide 160 microg once daily (CIC160 OD) with continued FP250 BID treatment. Patients with well-controlled asthma prior to study entry were included in two identical, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group studies. After a 2-week run-in period with FP250 BID, patients were randomized to CIC160 OD (n = 58) or FP250 BID (n = 53) for 12 weeks. Primary endpoints were percentage of days with asthma control, asthma symptom-free days, rescue medication-free days and nocturnal awakening-free days. Secondary endpoints included lung function variables, asthma symptom scores, rescue medication use and asthma exacerbations. Safety variables were also recorded. Patients had >or= 97% of days with asthma control, 98% asthma symptom-free days and 100% of days free from rescue medication use and nocturnal awakenings in both treatment groups (median values). There were no significant between-treatment differences for any of the primary or secondary efficacy variables. Overall, 42 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in the CIC160 OD group and 49 TEAEs were reported in the FP250 BID group. There were no clinically relevant changes from baseline in the safety variables in either treatment group. Patients well controlled on FP250 BID, or equivalent, who were stepped down to CIC160 OD, maintained similar asthma control compared with patients who received continued treatment standardized to FP250 BID.

Prevalence of Bovine Tuberculosis in Egyptian Cattle and the Standardization of the Interferon-gamma Assay as an Ancillary Test.

PubMed

Abdellrazeq, G S; Elnaggar, M M; Osman, H S; Davis, W C; Singh, M

2016-10-01

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) caused primarily by Mycobacterium bovis continues to cause significant losses in the cattle industry and is a major public health problem. Despite its worldwide application, the IFN-γ assay has not been applied in Egypt. The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate cut-off value of IFN-γ assay to complement the skin test screening in Egypt. The relative sensitivity (Ser ) of PPD and antigen cocktail-based IFN-γ assays (IFN-γ-BA and IFN-γ-EC) was analysed retrospectively, relative to bTB confirmatory tests (culture and PCR), using single cervical tuberculin (SCT) test reactors during 2011-2013. The absolute specificity (Sp) was studied using blood samples collected from cattle from one bTB-free herd. Analysis of the bTB database-generated sheets indicates the infection rate had decreased from 2009 to 2012 and then increased in 2013. The disease is concentrated in the Egyptian Nile Delta and Valley relative to elsewhere in the country. The cut-offs for IFN-γ-EC assay could be optimized to provide higher sensitivity, comparable to cut-offs for IFN-γ-BA assay. Data analysis suggests (PPDbOD  > 0.1, PPDbOD  - NILOD  > 0.05 and PPDbOD  > PPDaOD ) and (ECOD  - NILOD  ≥ 0.1) cut-off strategies to get optimal IFN-γ-BA and IFN-γ-EC assays results respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the prevalence of bTB in cattle in Egypt and pointing out the appropriate cut-off criteria to optimize IFN-γ assay as a routine ancillary test for diagnosis of bTB in Egypt. © 2014 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Determination of the Partition Coefficients of Organophosphorus Compounds Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-01

have claimed an advantage to deter- mining values of k’ in 100% aqueous mobile phases by extrapolation of linear plots of log k’ vs. percent organic...im parti- cle size chemically bonded octadecylsilane (ODS) packing ( Alltech Econo- sphere). As required, this column was saturated with I-octanol by in

Occupational diseases in Murmansk Oblast: 1980-2010.

PubMed

Dudarev, Alexey A; Talykova, Liudmila V; Odland, Jon Øyvind

2013-01-01

Official statistics tend to underestimate the incidence of occupational disease (OD) nationally and regionally in Russia. The general aim was to obtain an accurate estimate of ODs in Murmansk Oblast in 1980-2010 and to determine the rate of specific types of ODs among cohorts of workers who had been exposed to the hazardous factors causing the disease. Data were retrieved from the Murmansk Oblast ODs database for the oblast and 2 enterprises--Apatite JSC and Kolskaya MSC--which contributed to more than half of the ODs in the oblast in 1980-2010. The total number of ODs and 5 specific categories (musculoskeletal, respiratory, nervous diseases, hearing loss and vibration disease) were analysed. THE TOTAL RATE OF ODS AMONG WORKERS OF MAIN SHOPS IN BOTH ENTERPRISES WHO WERE ACTUALLY EXPOSED TO HARMFUL FACTORS WERE EXTREMELY HIGH: the rate for Apatite JSC was 25 times higher than in Russia and 15 times higher than in Murmansk Oblast, while the rate for Kolskaya MSC was about 30 and 20 times greater than in Russia and in Murmansk Oblast, respectively; in the 2000s the difference reached 100-150 times. The rise in reported ODs in both enterprises corresponded to the time when intensive medical examinations were conducted by the Kola Research Laboratory for Occupational Health (KRLOH) in Kirovsk. A similar pattern was also observed for the sub-categories of musculoskeletal, respiratory, nervous diseases, hearing loss and vibration disease. It is likely that the true burden of OD is even higher due to misdiagnosis, reluctance of workers concerned about job security to present for care and the lack of reliable information on working conditions needed to establish a causal link between disease and occupational exposure. As with many other regions across Russia, ODs in Murmansk Oblast are grossly underestimated. Serious problems exist in the Russian occupational health care system and the collection of occupational health statistics that require urgent, fundamental reform.

Cwf16p Associating with the Nineteen Complex Ensures Ordered Exon Joining in Constitutive Pre-mRNA Splicing in Fission Yeast

PubMed Central

Sasaki-Haraguchi, Noriko; Ikuyama, Takeshi; Yoshii, Shogo; Takeuchi-Andoh, Tomoko; Frendewey, David; Tani, Tokio

2015-01-01

Exons are ligated in an ordered manner without the skipping of exons in the constitutive splicing of pre-mRNAs with multiple introns. To identify factors ensuring ordered exon joining in constitutive pre-mRNA splicing, we previously screened for exon skipping mutants in Schizosaccharomyces pombe using a reporter plasmid, and characterized three exon skipping mutants named ods1 (ordered splicing 1), ods2, and ods3, the responsible genes of which encode Prp2/U2AF59, U2AF23, and SF1, respectively. They form an SF1-U2AF59-U2AF23 complex involved in recognition of the branch and 3′ splice sites in pre-mRNA. In the present study, we identified a fourth ods mutant, ods4, which was isolated in an exon-skipping screen. The ods4 + gene encodes Cwf16p, which interacts with the NineTeen Complex (NTC), a complex thought to be involved in the first catalytic step of the splicing reaction. We isolated two multi-copy suppressors for the ods4-1 mutation, Srp2p, an SR protein essential for pre-mRNA splicing, and Tif213p, a translation initiation factor, in S. pombe. The overexpression of Srp2p suppressed the exon-skipping phenotype of all ods mutants, whereas Tif213p suppressed only ods4-1, which has a mutation in the translational start codon of the cwf16 gene. We also showed that the decrease in the transcriptional elongation rate induced by drug treatment suppressed exon skipping in ods4-1. We propose that Cwf16p/NTC participates in the early recognition of the branch and 3′ splice sites and cooperates with the SF1-U2AF59-U2AF23 complex to maintain ordered exon joining. PMID:26302002

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of effect of risedronate 5 mg as an adjunct to treatment of chronic periodontitis in postmenopausal women (12-month study).

PubMed

Bhavsar, N V; Trivedi, S R; Dulani, K; Brahmbhatt, N; Shah, S; Chaudhri, D

2016-08-01

Bisphosphonates are beneficial to women, after menopause, in treatment of gum diseases. In this study, significant improvement in the disease condition was found and that no further progress was noted, and no side effects were reported. Bisphosphonates can be safely and successfully be used to support oral health procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate host modulating effect of bisphosphonate adjunct with the treatment of chronic periodontitis in osteopenic and osteoporotic postmenopausal women. Twenty-two osteopenic and osteoporotic postmenopausal women with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis were selected for the study. On intraoral examination, periodontal parameters like probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), Plaque Index (PI) and Gingival Index (GI) were recorded. Scaling and root planing were done. Intraoral periapical X-rays were taken, and alveolar bone density (ABD) was measured with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and then, medications (risedronate 5 mg once daily (OD), calcium citrate 250 mg OD, vitamin D 400 IU OD) were given. Patients were recalled for follow-up at 3, 6 and 12 months. Intraoral periapical (IOPA) X-rays were taken at 6 and 12 months and ABD was measured at baseline and 12 months. There was a significant improvement in all the parameters. There was an increase of 0.02 ± 0.001 cm on CT scan and 0.38 ± 0.005 mm on IOPA in bone height over 12 months from baseline. Bone density increased by 118.56 ± 3.251 Hounsfield units (HU). There was no progress in the disease, and further bone loss was not noticed. This is in correlation with clinical parameters which showed highly significant gain in CAL (3.57 ± 0.234 mm) and reduction in PD (2.20 ± 0.229 mm) Bisphosphonate therapy as an adjunct to scaling and root planing may have significant beneficial clinical effects on the periodontium of postmenopausal women with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis.

Spectroscopic and Quantum Mechanical Calculation Study of the Effect of Isotopic Substitution on NIR Spectra of Methanol.

PubMed

Grabska, Justyna; Czarnecki, Mirosław A; Beć, Krzysztof B; Ozaki, Yukihiro

2017-10-19

In this work, we studied methanol and its deuterated derivatives (CH 3 OH, CH 3 OD, CD 3 OH, CD 3 OD) by NIR spectroscopy and anharmonic quantum chemical calculations. Vibrational bands corresponding to up to three quanta transitions (first and second overtones, binary and ternary combination modes) were predicted by the use of the VPT2 route. The accuracy of prediction of NIR modes was evaluated through density functional theory (DFT) with selected density functionals and basis sets. On the basis of the theoretical NIR spectra, detailed band assignments for all studied molecules were proposed. It was found that the pattern of bands in NIR spectra of deuterated methanols can be used for identification of isotopically equalized forms. Calculations of NIR spectra of all possible forms of CXXXOX (X = H, D) molecules demonstrated that the isotopic contamination can be identified due to a coexistence of bands specific to OH and OD groups. Also, bands from partially deuterated methyl groups can be distinguished in NIR spectra. Since the VPT2 framework is known to be sensitive to inaccuracy in the case of highly anharmonic modes, we obtained an independent insight by numerical solving of the time-independent Schrödinger equation corresponding to the O-X stretching mode scanned within -0.4 to 2.0 Å over a dense grid of 0.005 Å. This way the energies of vibrational levels of the CX1X2X3OX4 (X = H, D) isotopomers and the corresponding transition frequencies were obtained with high accuracy (<0.1 cm -1 ). The change in normal coordinate influences the reduced mass of the oscillator and thus its frequency. Our results lead to a conclusion that the effect of deuterization of the methyl group introduces a very specific and consistent frequency shift of the first overtone of the O-X stretching mode depending on the substitution of X1, X2, or X3 positions (<2 cm -1 ). However, the pattern of this shift is not reproduced accurately and is also largely overestimated by VPT2 calculations.

Recombination Analysis of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Reveals a Bias toward GC Content and the Inverted Repeat Regions

PubMed Central

Lee, Kyubin; Kolb, Aaron W.; Sverchkov, Yuriy; Cuellar, Jacqueline A.; Craven, Mark

2015-01-01

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) causes recurrent mucocutaneous ulcers and is the leading cause of infectious blindness and sporadic encephalitis in the United States. HSV-1 has been shown to be highly recombinogenic; however, to date, there has been no genome-wide analysis of recombination. To address this, we generated 40 HSV-1 recombinants derived from two parental strains, OD4 and CJ994. The 40 OD4-CJ994 HSV-1 recombinants were sequenced using the Illumina sequencing system, and recombination breakpoints were determined for each of the recombinants using the Bootscan program. Breakpoints occurring in the terminal inverted repeats were excluded from analysis to prevent double counting, resulting in a total of 272 breakpoints in the data set. By placing windows around the 272 breakpoints followed by Monte Carlo analysis comparing actual data to simulated data, we identified a recombination bias toward both high GC content and intergenic regions. A Monte Carlo analysis also suggested that recombination did not appear to be responsible for the generation of the spontaneous nucleotide mutations detected following sequencing. Additionally, kernel density estimation analysis across the genome found that the large, inverted repeats comprise a recombination hot spot. IMPORTANCE Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) virus is the leading cause of sporadic encephalitis and blinding keratitis in developed countries. HSV-1 has been shown to be highly recombinogenic, and recombination itself appears to be a significant component of genome replication. To date, there has been no genome-wide analysis of recombination. Here we present the findings of the first genome-wide study of recombination performed by generating and sequencing 40 HSV-1 recombinants derived from the OD4 and CJ994 parental strains, followed by bioinformatics analysis. Recombination breakpoints were determined, yielding 272 breakpoints in the full data set. Kernel density analysis determined that the large inverted repeats constitute a recombination hot spot. Additionally, Monte Carlo analyses found biases toward high GC content and intergenic and repetitive regions. PMID:25926637

D/H fractionation in the H2-H2O system at supercritical water conditions: Compositional and hydrogen bonding effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foustoukos, Dionysis I.; Mysen, Bjorn O.

2012-06-01

A series of experiments has been conducted in the H2-D2-D2O-H2O-Ti-TiO2 system at temperatures ranging from 300 to 800 °C and pressures between ∼0.3 and 1.3 GPa in a hydrothermal diamond anvil cell, utilizing Raman spectroscopy as a quantitative tool to explore the relative distribution of hydrogen and deuterium isotopologues of the H2 and H2O in supercritical fluids. In detail, H2O-D2O solutions (1:1) were reacted with Ti metal (3-9 h) in the diamond cell, leading to formation of H2, D2, HD, and HDO species through Ti oxidation and H-D isotope exchange reactions. Experimental results obtained in situ and at ambient conditions on quenched samples indicate significant differences from the theoretical estimates of the equilibrium thermodynamic properties of the H-D exchange reactions. In fact, the estimated enthalpy for the H2(aq)-D2(aq) disproportionation reaction (ΔHrxn) is about -3.4 kcal/mol, which differs greatly from the +0.16 kcal/mol predicted for the exchange reaction in the gas phase by statistical mechanics models. The exothermic behavior of the exchange reaction implies enhanced stability of H2 and D2 relative to HD. Accordingly, the significant energy difference of the internal H2(aq)-D2(aq)-HD(aq) equilibrium translates to strong differences of the fractionation effects between the H2O-H2 and D2O-D2 isotope exchange relationships. The D/H fractionation factors between H2O-H2(aq) and D2O-D2(aq) differ by 365‰ in the 600-800 °C temperature range, and are indicative of the greater effect of D2O contribution to the δD isotopic composition of supercritical fluids. The negative ΔHrxn values for the H2(aq)-D2(aq)-HD(aq) equilibrium and the apparent decrease of the equilibrium constant with increasing temperature might be because of differences of the Henry’s law constant between the H- and D-bearing species dissolved in supercritical aqueous solutions. Such effects may be attributed to the stronger hydrogen bonding in the O-H⋯O relative to the O-D⋯O environment. This difference allows enhanced gas solubility in the denser and more polar H2O clusters, and thus, affects the D/H exchange between the H2-D2 volatiles and the coexisting H2O-D2O mixtures. The proposed role of temperature in promoting differences in the density and polarity of hydrogen-bonded OHO and ODO molecules may be explained with isotope-specific molar volume effects similar to those suggested to account for the hydrogen isotope fractionation between H2O and hydroxide mineral phases (e.g. brucite) across large pressure intervals.

Long-Term Visual Training Increases Visual Acuity and Long-Term Monocular Deprivation Promotes Ocular Dominance Plasticity in Adult Standard Cage-Raised Mice.

PubMed

Hosang, Leon; Yusifov, Rashad; Löwel, Siegrid

2018-01-01

For routine behavioral tasks, mice predominantly rely on olfactory cues and tactile information. In contrast, their visual capabilities appear rather restricted, raising the question whether they can improve if vision gets more behaviorally relevant. We therefore performed long-term training using the visual water task (VWT): adult standard cage (SC)-raised mice were trained to swim toward a rewarded grating stimulus so that using visual information avoided excessive swimming toward nonrewarded stimuli. Indeed, and in contrast to old mice raised in a generally enriched environment (Greifzu et al., 2016), long-term VWT training increased visual acuity (VA) on average by more than 30% to 0.82 cycles per degree (cyc/deg). In an individual animal, VA even increased to 1.49 cyc/deg, i.e., beyond the rat range of VAs. Since visual experience enhances the spatial frequency threshold of the optomotor (OPT) reflex of the open eye after monocular deprivation (MD), we also quantified monocular vision after VWT training. Monocular VA did not increase reliably, and eye reopening did not initiate a decline to pre-MD values as observed by optomotry; VA values rather increased by continued VWT training. Thus, optomotry and VWT measure different parameters of mouse spatial vision. Finally, we tested whether long-term MD induced ocular dominance (OD) plasticity in the visual cortex of adult [postnatal day (P)162-P182] SC-raised mice. This was indeed the case: 40-50 days of MD induced OD shifts toward the open eye in both VWT-trained and, surprisingly, also in age-matched mice without VWT training. These data indicate that (1) long-term VWT training increases adult mouse VA, and (2) long-term MD induces OD shifts also in adult SC-raised mice.

Characterization of a Gafchromic film for the two-dimensional profile measurement of low-energy heavy-ion beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuri, Yosuke; Narumi, Kazumasa; Yuyama, Takahiro

2016-08-01

The feasibility of the transverse intensity distribution measurement of low-energy (keV/u range) heavy-ion beams using radiochromic films is experimentally explored. We employ a Gafchromic radiochromic film, HD-V2, whose active layer is not laminated by a surface-protection layer. The coloration response of films irradiated with several ion beams is characterized in terms of optical density (OD) by reading the films with a general-purpose scanner. To explore the energy dependence of the film response widely, the kinetic energy of the beams is varied from 1.5 keV/u to 27 MeV/u. We have found that the coloration of HD-V2 films is induced by irradiation with low-energy ion beams of the order of 10 keV/u. The range of the beams is considerably shorter than the thickness of the film's active layer. The dependence of OD response on ion species is also discussed. We demonstrate that the Gafchromic film used here is useful for measuring the intensity distribution of such low-energy ion beams.

Oxidative desulfurization of benzothiophene and thiophene with WOx/ZrO2 catalysts: effect of calcination temperature of catalysts.

PubMed

Hasan, Zubair; Jeon, Jaewoo; Jhung, Sung Hwa

2012-02-29

Oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of model fuel containing benzothiophene (BT) or thiophene (Th) has been carried out with WO(x)/ZrO2 catalyst, which was calcined at various temperatures. Based on the conversion of BT in the model fuel, it can be shown that the optimum calcination temperature of WOx/ZrO2 catalyst is around 700 °C. The most active catalyst is composed of tetragonal zirconia (ZrO2) with well dispersed polyoxotungstate species and it is necessary to minimize the contents of the crystalline WO3 and monoclinic ZrO2 for a high BT conversion. The oxidation rate was interpreted with the first-order kinetics, and it demonstrated the importance of electron density since the kinetic constant for BT was higher than that for Th even though the BT is larger than Th in size. A WOx/ZrO2 catalyst, treated suitably, can be used as a reusable active catalyst in the ODS. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In vitro comparison of the radiopacity of cavity lining materials with human dental structures

PubMed Central

Pires de Souza, Fernanda CP; Pardini, Luiz C; Cruvinel, Diogo R; Hamida, Hisham M; Garcia, Lucas FR

2010-01-01

Aim: To compare the optical densities (OD) of calcium hydroxide (CH) and glass ionomer cement with the same thicknesses of the dental structures. Materials and Methods: Eighteen specimens of each material, with thicknesses of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 mm were made in a Teflon matrix. To compare the radiopacity of the materials with the dental structures, dental cuts of the first molars, increasing in thickness from 0.5 to 3.0 mm, were obtained. To standardize the radiographs, a transparent acrylic matrix (Standardizing Device) was developed and used. Thirty radiographs were taken, five for each tested material. Results: Statistical analysis (Two-way ANOVA - Bonferroni, P < 0.05) demonstrated that when the materials were compared, there was statistically significant difference between the ODs, only for the thickness of 1.0 mm (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The thickness of the material contributed to its radiopacity, and these materials had to be used in a thickness between 1.5 and 2.0 mm. PMID:20859477

Experimental dynamic characterizations and modelling of disk vibrations for HDDs.

PubMed

Pang, Chee Khiang; Ong, Eng Hong; Guo, Guoxiao; Qian, Hua

2008-01-01

Currently, the rotational speed of spindle motors in HDDs (Hard-Disk Drives) are increasing to improve high data throughput and decrease rotational latency for ultra-high data transfer rates. However, the disk platters are excited to vibrate at their natural frequencies due to higher air-flow excitation as well as eccentricities and imbalances in the disk-spindle assembly. These factors contribute directly to TMR (Track Mis-Registration) which limits achievable high recording density essential for future mobile HDDs. In this paper, the natural mode shapes of an annular disk mounted on a spindle motor used in current HDDs are characterized using FEM (Finite Element Methods) analysis and verified with SLDV (Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer) measurements. The identified vibration frequencies and amplitudes of the disk ODS (Operating Deflection Shapes) at corresponding disk mode shapes are modelled as repeatable disturbance components for servo compensation in HDDs. Our experimental results show that the SLDV measurements are accurate in capturing static disk mode shapes without the need for intricate air-flow aero-elastic models, and the proposed disk ODS vibration model correlates well with experimental measurements from a LDV.

The level of orally ingested vitamin C affected the expression of vitamin C transporters and vitamin C accumulation in the livers of ODS rats.

PubMed

Sone, Yasuko; Ueta, Etsuko; Kodama, Satoru; Sannoumaru, Yasuko; Miyake, Noriko; Sone, Hirohito; Fujiwara, Yoko; Otsuka, Yuzuru; Kondo, Kazuo; Inagaki, Masahiro; Namba, Eiji; Kurata, Tadao; Suzuki, Emiko

2011-01-01

We investigated the effects of vitamin C administration on vitamin C-specific transporters in ODS/ShiJcl-od/od rat livers. The vitamin C-specific transporter levels increased in the livers of the rats not administered vitamin C and decreased in the livers of those administered vitamin C at 100 mg/d, indicating that these transporter levels can be influenced by the amount of vitamin C administered.

In vivo laser confocal microscopy findings of a cornea with osteogenesis imperfecta

PubMed Central

Kobayashi, Akira; Higashide, Tomomi; Yokogawa, Hideaki; Yamazaki, Natsuko; Masaki, Toshinori; Sugiyama, Kazuhisa

2014-01-01

Objective To report the in vivo laser confocal microscopy findings of a cornea with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) with special attention to the abnormality of Bowman’s layer and sub-Bowman’s fibrous structures (K-structures). Patients and methods Two patients (67-year-old male and his 26-year-old son) with OI type I were included in this study. Slit lamp biomicroscopic and in vivo laser confocal microscopic examinations were performed for both patients. Central corneal thickness and central endothelial cell density were also measured. Results Although the corneas looked clear with normal endothelial density for both eyes in both patients, they were quite thin (386 μm oculus dexter (OD) (the right eye) and 384 μm oculus sinister (OS) (the left eye) in the father and 430 μm OD and 425 μm OS in the son). In both patients, slit lamp biomicroscopic and in vivo laser confocal microscopic examination showed similar results. Anterior corneal mosaics produced by rubbing the eyelid under fluorescein were completely absent in both eyes. In vivo laser confocal microscopy revealed an absent or atrophic Bowman’s layer; a trace of a presumed Bowman’s layer and/or basement membrane was barely visible with high intensity. Additionally, K-structures were completely absent in both eyes. Conclusion The absence of K-structures and fluorescein anterior corneal mosaics strongly suggested an abnormality of Bowman’s layer in these OI patients. PMID:24591812

Influence of isotopic disorder on solid state amorphization and polyamorphism in solid H2O -D2O solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gromnitskaya, E. L.; Danilov, I. V.; Lyapin, A. G.; Brazhkin, V. V.

2015-10-01

We present a low-temperature and high-pressure ultrasonic study of elastic properties of isotopic H2O-D2O solid solutions, comparing their properties with those of the isotopically pure H2O and D2O ices. Measurements were carried out for solid state amorphization (SSA) from 1h to high-density amorphous (HDA) ice upon compression up to 1.8 GPa at 77 K and for the temperature-induced (77 -190 K ) u-HDA (unrelaxed HDA) → e-HDA (expanded HDA) → low-density amorphous (LDA )→1 c cascade of ice transformations near room pressure. There are many similarities in the elasticity behaviour of H2O ,D2O , and H2O-D2O solid solutions, including the softening of the shear elastic modulus as a precursor of SSA and the HDA →LDA transition. We have found significant isotopic effects during H/D substitution, including elastic softening of H2O -D2O solid solutions with respect to the isotopically pure ices in the case of the bulk moduli of ices 1c and 1h and for both bulk and shear elastic moduli of HDA ice at high pressures (>1 GPa ) . This softening is related to the configurational isotopic disorder in the solid solutions. At low pressures, the isotope concentration dependence of the elastic moduli of u-HDA ice changes remarkably and becomes monotonic with pronounced change of the bulk modulus (≈20 %) .

RENZI SCORE FOR OBSTRUCTED DEFECATION SYNDROME - VALIDATION OF THE PORTUGUESE VERSION ACCORDING TO THE COSMIN CHECKLIST.

PubMed

Caetano, Ana Celia; Dias, Sara; Santa-Cruz, André; Rolanda, Carla

2018-01-01

Recently, the Obstructed Defecation Syndrome score (ODS score) was developed and validated by Renzi to assess clinical staging and to allow evaluation and comparison of the efficacy of treatment of this disorder. Our goal is to validate the Portuguese version of Renzi ODS score, according to the Consensus based Standards for the selection of the Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist. Following guidelines for cross-cultural validity, Renzi ODS score was translated into the Portuguese language. Then, a group of patients and healthy controls were invited to fill in the Renzi ODS score at baseline, after 2 weeks and 3 months, respectively. We assessed internal consistency, reliability and measurement error, content and construct validity, responsiveness and interpretability. A total of 113 individuals (77 patients; 36 healthy controls) completed the questionnaire. Seventy and 30 patients repeated the Renzi ODS score after 2 weeks and 3 months respectively. Factor analysis confirmed the unidimensionality of the scale. Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.77 supported item's homogeneity. Weighted quadratic kappa of 0.89 established test-retest reliability. The smallest detectable change at the individual level was 2.66 and at the group level was 0.30. Renzi ODS score and the total (-0.32) and physical (-0.43) SF-36 scores correlated negatively. Patient and control's groups significantly differed (11 points). The change score of Renzi ODS score between baseline and 3 months correlated negatively with the clinical evolution (-0.86). ROC analysis showed minimal important change of 2.00 with AUC 0.97. Neither floor nor ceiling effects were observed. This work validated the Portuguese version of Renzi ODS score. We can now use this reliable, responsive, and interpretable (at the group level) tool to evaluate Portuguese ODS patients.

Orbit Determination and Maneuver Detection Using Event Representation with Thrust-Fourier-Coefficients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lubey, D.; Ko, H.; Scheeres, D.

The classical orbit determination (OD) method of dealing with unknown maneuvers is to restart the OD process with post-maneuver observations. However, it is also possible to continue the OD process through such unknown maneuvers by representing those unknown maneuvers with an appropriate event representation. It has been shown in previous work (Ko & Scheeres, JGCD 2014) that any maneuver performed by a satellite transitioning between two arbitrary orbital states can be represented as an equivalent maneuver connecting those two states using Thrust-Fourier-Coefficients (TFCs). Event representation using TFCs rigorously provides a unique control law that can generate the desired secular behavior for a given unknown maneuver. This paper presents applications of this representation approach to orbit prediction and maneuver detection problem across unknown maneuvers. The TFCs are appended to a sequential filter as an adjoint state to compensate unknown perturbing accelerations and the modified filter estimates the satellite state and thrust coefficients by processing OD across the time of an unknown maneuver. This modified sequential filter with TFCs is capable of fitting tracking data and maintaining an OD solution in the presence of unknown maneuvers. Also, the modified filter is found effective in detecting a sudden change in TFC values which indicates a maneuver. In order to illustrate that the event representation approach with TFCs is robust and sufficiently general to be easily adjustable, different types of measurement data are processed with the filter in a realistic LEO setting. Further, cases with mis-modeling of non-gravitational force are included in our study to verify the versatility and efficiency of our presented algorithm. Simulation results show that the modified sequential filter with TFCs can detect and estimate the orbit and thrust parameters in the presence of unknown maneuvers with or without measurement data during maneuvers. With no measurement data during maneuvers, the modified filter with TFCs uses an existing pre-maneuver orbit solution to compute a post-maneuver orbit solution by forcing TFCs to compensate for an unknown maneuver. With observation data available during maneuvers, maneuver start time and stop time is determined

Organization Development in Mental Health Services.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glaser, Edward M.; Backer, Thomas E.

1979-01-01

The term "organization development" (OD) encompasses techniques developed to facilitate communication and collaborative problem solving in work groups. This discussion focuses on defining OD, describing its current use in mental health and human service organizations, and assessing potential payoffs and disadvantages of implementing OD programs in…

Mean curvature and texture constrained composite weighted random walk algorithm for optic disc segmentation towards glaucoma screening.

PubMed

Panda, Rashmi; Puhan, N B; Panda, Ganapati

2018-02-01

Accurate optic disc (OD) segmentation is an important step in obtaining cup-to-disc ratio-based glaucoma screening using fundus imaging. It is a challenging task because of the subtle OD boundary, blood vessel occlusion and intensity inhomogeneity. In this Letter, the authors propose an improved version of the random walk algorithm for OD segmentation to tackle such challenges. The algorithm incorporates the mean curvature and Gabor texture energy features to define the new composite weight function to compute the edge weights. Unlike the deformable model-based OD segmentation techniques, the proposed algorithm remains unaffected by curve initialisation and local energy minima problem. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified with DRIVE, DIARETDB1, DRISHTI-GS and MESSIDOR database images using the performance measures such as mean absolute distance, overlapping ratio, dice coefficient, sensitivity, specificity and precision. The obtained OD segmentation results and quantitative performance measures show robustness and superiority of the proposed algorithm in handling the complex challenges in OD segmentation.

Examining subtypes of behavior problems among 3-year-old children, Part I: investigating validity of subtypes and biological risk-factors.

PubMed

Harvey, Elizabeth A; Friedman-Weieneth, Julie L; Goldstein, Lauren H; Sherman, Alison H

2007-02-01

This study examined 3-year-old children who were classified as hyperactive (HYP), oppositional-defiant (OD), hyperactive and oppositional defiant (HYP/OD), and non-problem based on mothers' reports of behavior. Using fathers,' teachers,' and observers' ratings of children's behavior, concurrent validity was excellent for the HYP/OD group, moderate for the HYP group, and poor for the OD group. As predicted, both the HYP/OD and HYP groups reported more prenatal/perinatal birth complications and a greater family history of hyperactivity than did non-problem children. Furthermore, the HYP/OD group showed a greater family history of conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms than did non-problem children; however, the HYP group also showed a greater family history of ODD than did non-problem children. Results suggest that as early as age 3, these behavior subtypes appear to be linked to biologically-based risk-factors in ways that are consistent with theories of the development of ADHD.

Advanced TEM characterization of oxide nanoparticles in ODS Fe–12Cr–5Al alloys

DOE PAGES

Unocic, Kinga A; Hoelzer, David T; Pint, Bruce A

2016-01-01

For oxide nanoparticles present in three oxide-dispersion-strengthened (ODS) Fe–12Cr–5Al alloys containing additions of (1) Y 2O 3 (125Y), (2) Y 2O 3 + ZrO 2 (125YZ), and (3) Y 2O 3 + HfO 2 (125YH), were investigated using transmission and scanning transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, in all three alloys nano-sized (<3.5 nm) oxide particles distributed uniformly throughout the microstructure were characterized using advanced electron microscopy techniques. In the 125Y alloy, mainly Al 2O 3 and yttrium–aluminum garnet (YAG) phases (Y 3Al 5O 12) were present, while in the 125YZ alloy, additional Zr(C,N) precipitates were identified. The 125YH alloy had themore » most complex precipitation sequence whereby in addition to the YAG and Al 2O 3 phases, Hf(C,N), Y 2Hf 2O 7, and HfO 2 precipitates were also found. The presence of HfO 2 was mainly due to the incomplete incorporation of HfO 2 powder during mechanical alloying of the 125YH alloy. The alloy having the highest total number density of the oxides, the smallest grain size, and the highest Vickers hardness was the 125YZ alloy indicating, that Y 2O 3 + ZrO 2 additions had the strongest effect on grain size and tensile properties. Finally, high-temperature mechanical testing will be addressed in the near future, while irradiation studies are underway to investigate the irradiation resistance of these new ODS FeCrAl alloys.« less

Using wavelength-normalized optical spectroscopy to improve the accuracy of bacteria growth rate quantification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McBirney, Samantha E.; Trinh, Kristy; Wong-Beringer, Annie; Armani, Andrea M.

2017-02-01

One of the fundamental analytical measurements performed in microbiology is monitoring and characterizing cell concentration in culture media. Measurement error will give rise to reproducibility problems in a wide range of applications, from biomanufacturing to basic research. Therefore, it is critical that the generated results are consistent. Single wavelength optical density (OD) measurements have become the preferred approach. Here, we compare the conventional OD600 technique with a multi-wavelength normalized scattering optical spectroscopy method to measure the growth rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, two of the leading nosocomial pathogens with proven abilities to develop resistance. The multi-wavelength normalization process minimizes the impact of bacteria byproducts and environmental noise on the signal, thereby accurately quantifying growth rates with high fidelity at low concentrations. In contrast, due to poor absorbance and scattering at 600 nm, the classic OD600 measurement method is able to detect bacteria but cannot quantify the growth rate reliably. Our wavelength-normalization protocol to detect bacteria growth rates can be readily and easily adopted by research labs, given that it only requires the use of a standard spectrophotometer and implementation of straightforward data analysis. Measuring and monitoring bacteria growth rates play a critical role in a wide range of settings, spanning from therapeutic design and development to diagnostics and disease prevention. Having a full understanding of the growth cycles of bacteria known to cause severe infections and diseases will lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of these illnesses, leading to better treatment and, ultimately, the development of a cure.

A dark-line two-dimensional magneto-optical trap of 85Rb atoms with high optical depth.

PubMed

Zhang, Shanchao; Chen, J F; Liu, Chang; Zhou, Shuyu; Loy, M M T; Wong, G K L; Du, Shengwang

2012-07-01

We describe the apparatus of a dark-line two-dimensional (2D) magneto-optical trap (MOT) of (85)Rb cold atoms with high optical depth (OD). Different from the conventional configuration, two (of three) pairs of trapping laser beams in our 2D MOT setup do not follow the symmetry axes of the quadrupole magnetic field: they are aligned with 45° angles to the longitudinal axis. Two orthogonal repumping laser beams have a dark-line volume in the longitudinal axis at their cross over. With a total trapping laser power of 40 mW and repumping laser power of 18 mW, we obtain an atomic OD up to 160 in an electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) scheme, which corresponds to an atomic-density-length product NL = 2.05 × 10(15) m(-2). In a closed two-state system, the OD can become as large as more than 600. Our 2D MOT configuration allows full optical access of the atoms in its longitudinal direction without interfering with the trapping and repumping laser beams spatially. Moreover, the zero magnetic field along the longitudinal axis allows the cold atoms maintain a long ground-state coherence time without switching off the MOT magnetic field, which makes it possible to operate the MOT at a high repetition rate and a high duty cycle. Our 2D MOT is ideal for atomic-ensemble-based quantum optics applications, such as EIT, entangled photon pair generation, optical quantum memory, and quantum information processing.

Quantitative detection of the colloidal gold immunochromatographic strip in HSV color space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yuanshu; Gao, Yueming; Du, Min

2014-09-01

In this paper, a fast, reliable and accurate quantitative detection method for the colloidal gold immunochromatographic strip(GICA) is presented. An image acquisition device which is mainly composed of annular LED source, zoom ratio lens, and 10bit CMOS image sensors with 54.5dB SNR is designed for the detection. Firstly, the test line is extracted from the strip window through using the H component peak points of the HSV space as the clustering centers via the Fuzzy C-Means(FCM) clustering method. Then, a two dimensional eigenvalue composed with the hue(H) and saturation(S) of HSV space was proposed to improve the accuracy of the quantitative detection. At last, the experiment of human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG) with the concentration range 0-500mIU/mL is carried out. The results show that the linear correlation coefficient between this method and optical density(OD) values measured by the fiber optical sensor reach 96.74%. Meanwhile, the linearity of fitting curve constructed with concentration was greater than 95.00%.

Oxymetazoline plus dexpanthenol in nasal congestion.

PubMed

Jagade, Mohan V; Langade, Deepak G; Pophale, Rupesh R; Prabhu, Arun

2008-12-01

To compare the efficacy and tolerability of Oxymetazoline 0.05 % plus Dexpanthanol 5% versus Xylometazoline 0.1 % nasal drops in patients with nasal congestion due to allergic rhinitis and following nasal surgery. An investigator-blind, randomized, controlled, phase IV clinical trial conducted in 100 patients with acute allergic rhinitis or patients post-nasal surgery. Patients received either Oxymetazoline 0.05% with Dexpanthanol 5% (OD) or Xylometazoline 0.1% (XO) nasal drops. Relief from nasal congestion was significantly better in the OD group then in the XO group (mean nasal scores 1.24 vs 1.86). Significantly more improvement in sneezing and decrease in nasal discharge was seen in the OD group than the XO group. Nasal irritation in the OD group was significantly less as compared to XO group (0.38 v/s 1.12 on second day and 0.10 vs 0.36 on the fourth day). The recovery time for OD group was 1.08 hours, which was significantly (46 min) lesser than that of the XO group. Rebound congestion was significantly less in OD as compared to XO group (6.25% vs 82.98%). 93.75% of the physicians in the OD group and 51.28% in XO group reported response to therapy as good to excellent. 95.83% patients in the OD group and only 52.91% patients in the XO group rated tolerability to therapy as good to excellent. Oxymetazoline and dexpanthenol combination has a better efficacy, shorter recovery time, causes lesser rebound congestion and has better tolerability than xylometazoline.

Drugs Related to Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Older People.

PubMed

Miarons, Marta; Campins, Lluís; Palomera, Elisabet; Serra-Prat, Mateu; Cabré, Mateu; Rofes, Laia

2016-10-01

Scientific evidence on the impact of medication on the physiology of swallowing is scarce and mainly based on clinical case reports. To evaluate the association between oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) and chronic exposure to medication in older patients admitted to the acute geriatric unit (AGU) of a secondary hospital, we performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of 966 patients admitted to an AGU from 2008 to 2011. We reviewed (a) diagnosis of OD (assessed with the volume-viscosity swallow test, V- VST); (b) chronic patient medication classified by anatomical, therapeutic, chemical codes; and (c) demographic and clinical data. A univariate analysis was performed to determine which medications were associated with OD. A multivariate analysis adjusting for confounding clinical factors was performed to identify which of those medications were independently associated with OD. The age of patients included was 85.3 ± 6.37 years and 59.4 % were women. A total of 41.9 % presented OD. We found a possible protective effect of beta blocking agents on OD after the multivariate analysis (OR 0.54, 95 % CI 0.35-0.85). None of the categories of drugs was associated with an altered swallowing function after adjusting for confounding variables. The present study is the first one to widely investigate the association between drugs and OD, increasing understanding of their association. The role of beta blockers in OD needs to be further studied as their potentially beneficial effects on the swallowing function in older patients could help to prevent complications.

[Expression of collagen and elastin fibers in the rectum of patients with obstructed defecation syndrome and its significance].

PubMed

Li, Juan; Lin, Hongcheng; Ren, Donglin

2015-12-01

To detect the expression of collagen and elastin fibers in the rectum of patients with obstructive defecation syndrome (ODS), and to explore the possible role of these fibers in the pathogenesis of ODS. The rectum specimens of 20 patients with ODS were collected. These patients had undergone stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) surgery in our hospital since 2012. Full-thickness rectal specimens were stained with Masson and EVG staining to show collagen and elastin fibers. As the control, rectum specimens of 20 patients with severe prolapsed hemorrhoids also undergoing STARR surgery in our hospital during the same period were collected. Masson staining showed that the structure of collagen fibers in submucosa was slender, area decreased [(13.88±7.02)% vs. (30.98±3.46)%, P<0.01], and the expression level was significantly lower in ODS group compared with control group. EVG staining also showed that collagen fiber area of ODS patients was reduced compared with control group [(17.18±7.24)% vs. (27.04±9.65)%, P<0.01]. Meanwhile EVG staining revealed that elastic fibers were fragmented in ODS group and the expression level was lower compared with control group [(1.20±1.39)% vs. (1.47±1.06)%], whereas the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05). The expression level of collagen fibers in patients with ODS is significantly reduced, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ODS.

Effect of deuteration on hydrogen bonding: A comparative concentration dependent Raman and DFT study of pyridine in CH3OH and CD3OD and pyrimidine in H2O and D2O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Anurag; Gangopadhyay, Debraj; Popp, Jürgen; Singh, Ranjan K.

2012-12-01

The relative effect of hydrogen bonding of pyrimidine (Pyr) in H2O/D2O and pyridine (Py) in CH3OH/CD3OD has been analyzed using Raman Difference Spectroscopic (RDS) technique and DFT calculations. This study is focused on analyzing the concentration dependent variation of linewidth, peak position and intensity of ring breathing mode of Py and Pyr. The ring breathing mode of Pyr in H2O and D2O has three components; due to free Pyr, lighter complexes of mPyr + nH2O/D2O and heavier complexes of mPyr + nH2O/D2O. The pyridine molecules, however, show only two components in CH3OH and CD3OD. Of these two components, one corresponds to free Py and the other inhomogeneously broadened profile corresponds to all mPy + nCH3OH/CD3OD complexes. The variation of peak position and linewidth establishes the role of dipole moment of complexes and the diffusion in the mixture. In case of CD3OD solution splitting was observed in ˜1030 cm-1 band of Py, where an additional band at ˜1034 cm-1 appears at x(Py) ⩽ 0.4. However, this band remains single at all concentrations in case of CH3OH solvent.

Ginger Orally Disintegrating Tablets to Improve Swallowing in Older People.

PubMed

Hirata, Ayumu; Funato, Hiroki; Nakai, Megumi; Iizuka, Michiro; Abe, Noriaki; Yagi, Yusuke; Shiraishi, Hisashi; Jobu, Kohei; Yokota, Junko; Hirose, Kahori; Hyodo, Masamitsu; Miyamura, Mitsuhiko

2016-01-01

We previously prepared and pharmaceutically evaluated ginger orally disintegrating (OD) tablets, optimized the base formulation, and carried out a clinical trial in healthy adults in their 20 s and 50s to measure their effect on salivary substance P (SP) level and improved swallowing function. In this study, we conducted clinical trials using the ginger OD tablets in older people to clinically evaluate the improvements in swallowing function resulting from the functional components of the tablet. The ginger OD tablets were prepared by mixing the excipients with the same amount of mannitol and sucrose to a concentration of 1% ginger. Eighteen healthy older adult volunteers aged 63 to 90 were included in the swallowing function test. Saliva was collected before and 15 min after administration of the placebo and ginger OD tablets. Swallowing endoscopy was performed by an otolaryngologist before administration and 15 min after administration of the ginger OD tablets. A scoring method was used to evaluate the endoscopic swallowing. Fifteen minutes after taking the ginger OD tablets, the salivary SP amount was significantly higher than prior to ingestion or after taking the placebo (p<0.05). Among 10 subjects, one scored 1-3 using the four evaluation criteria. Overall, no aspiration occurred and a significant improvement in the swallowing function score was observed (p<0.05) after taking the ginger OD tablets. Our findings showed that the ginger OD tablets increased the salivary SP amount and improved swallowing function in older people with appreciably reduced swallowing function.

Variational Bayes method for estimating transit route OD flows using APC data.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-01-31

The focus of this study is on the use of large quantities of APC data to estimate OD flows : for transit bus routes. Since most OD flow estimation methodologies based on boarding and : alighting counts were developed before the prevalence of APC tech...

Methadone hydrochloride: acute administration, disposition and effects on hepatic function in guinea pigs.

PubMed

Pak, R C; Ecobichon, D J

1981-01-01

d,1-Methadone hydrochloride was administered orally to adult female albino guinea pigs at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight every 12 h for 10 consecutive days. Twelve hours after a dose, subgroups of animals were sacrificed at 2, 5 and 10 days for tissue (blood plasma, brain, liver and kidney) methadone residue analysis and the in vitro measurement of hepatic microsomal p-nitroanisole O-demethylase (OD), aniline hydroxylase (AH) and glucuronosyltransferase (GT) activities. No overt toxicity was observed during treatment other than a decrease in body weight. Withdrawal signs were absent during the 14-day post-treatment regression period. Tissue methadone levels were constant except for a decreased concentration in the liver at 5 and 10 days. No effect on hepatic OD and AH was observed during treatment but a significant decrease in GT activity was measured which returned to normal values 14 days after terminating treatment.

Development of Simultaneous Corrosion Barrier and Optimized Microstructure in FeCrAl Heat-Resistant Alloy for Energy Applications. Part 1: The Protective Scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pimentel, G.; Aranda, M. M.; Chao, J.; González-Carrasco, J. L.; Capdevila, C.

2015-09-01

Coarse-grained Fe-based oxide dispersion-strengthened (ODS) steels are a class of advanced materials for combined cycle gas turbine systems to deal with operating temperatures and pressures of around 1100°C and 15-30 bar in aggressive environments, which would increase biomass energy conversion efficiencies up to 45% and above. This two-part paper reports the possibility of the development of simultaneous corrosion barrier and optimized microstructure in a FeCrAl heat-resistant alloy for energy applications. The first part reports the mechanism of generating a dense, self-healing α-alumina layer by thermal oxidation, during a heat treatment that leads to a coarse-grained microstructure with a potential value for high-temperature creep resistance in a FeCrAl ODS ferritic alloy, which will be described in more detail in the second part.

Long-chain alkylimidazolium ionic liquids, a new class of cationic surfactants coated on ODS columns for anion-exchange chromatography.

PubMed

Qiu, Hongdeng; Zhang, Qinghua; Chen, Limei; Liu, Xia; Jiang, Shengxiang

2008-08-01

Separations of common inorganic anions were carried out on ODS columns coated with two long-chain alkylimidazolium ionic liquids ([C(12)MIm]Br and [C(14)MIm]Br) as new cationic surfactants for ion chromatography. With phthalate buffer solution as the mobile phases and non-suppressed conductivity detection, high column efficiencies and excellent selectivity were obtained in the separation of inorganic anions. Chromatographic parameters are calculated and the results show that the coated column possesses significant potential for the analysis of some inorganic anions such as CH(3)COO(-), IO(3)(-), Cl(-), BrO(3)(-), NO(2)(-), Br(-), NO(3)(-), SO(4)(2-), I(-), BF(4)(-), and SCN(-). The effect of eluent pH values on the separation of anions has been studied on the column coated with [C(12)MIm]Br. The stability of the coated columns was also examined.

Effects of Different Drying Methods and Storage Time on Free Radical Scavenging Activity and Total Phenolic Content of Cosmos Caudatus.

PubMed

Mediani, Ahmed; Abas, Faridah; Tan, Chin Ping; Khatib, Alfi

2014-05-07

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of air (AD), oven (OD) and freeze drying (FD) on the free radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content (TPC) of Cosmos caudatus and the effect of storage time by the comparison with a fresh sample (FS). Among the three drying methods that were used, AD resulted in the highest free radical scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (IC50 = 0.0223 mg/mL) and total phenolic content (27.4 g GAE/100 g), whereas OD produced the lowest scavenging activity and TPC value. After three months of storage, the dried samples showed a high and consistent free radical scavenging activity when compared to stored fresh material. The drying methods could preserve the quality of C. caudatus during storage and the stability of its bioactive components can be maintained.

Effects of Different Drying Methods and Storage Time on Free Radical Scavenging Activity and Total Phenolic Content of Cosmos caudatus

PubMed Central

Mediani, Ahmed; Abas, Faridah; Tan, Chin Ping; Khatib, Alfi

2014-01-01

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of air (AD), oven (OD) and freeze drying (FD) on the free radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content (TPC) of Cosmos caudatus and the effect of storage time by the comparison with a fresh sample (FS). Among the three drying methods that were used, AD resulted in the highest free radical scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (IC50 = 0.0223 mg/mL) and total phenolic content (27.4 g GAE/100 g), whereas OD produced the lowest scavenging activity and TPC value. After three months of storage, the dried samples showed a high and consistent free radical scavenging activity when compared to stored fresh material. The drying methods could preserve the quality of C. caudatus during storage and the stability of its bioactive components can be maintained. PMID:26784876

Isolation, identification, and algicidal activity of aerobic denitrifying bacterium R11 and its effect on Microcystis aeruginosa.

PubMed

Su, Jun-feng; Shao, Si-cheng; Huang, Ting-lin; Ma, Fang; Zhang, Kai; Wen, Gang; Zheng, Sheng-chen

2016-01-01

Recently, algicidal bacteria have attracted attention as possible agents for the inhibition of algal water blooms. In this study, an aerobic denitrifying bacterium, R11, with high algicidal activity against the toxic Microcystis aeruginosa was isolated from lake sediments. Based on its physiological characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence, it was identified as Raoultella, indicating that the bacterium R11 has a good denitrifying ability at 30 °C and can reduce the concentration of nitrate-N completely within 36 h. Additionally, different algicidal characteristics against Microcystis aeruginosa were tested. The results showed that the initial bacterial cell density and algal cell densities strongly influence the removal rates of chlorophyll a. Algicidal activity increased with an increase in the bacterial cell density. With densities of bacterial culture at over 2.4 × 10(5) cell/mL, algicidal activity of up to 80% was obtained in 4 days. We have demonstrated that, with the low initial algal cell density (OD680 less than 0.220), the algicidal activity reached was higher than 90% after 6 days.

46 CFR 252.3 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

...-differential subsidy (ODS) means, except as the operator and the United States government should agree upon a... contracts with the United States government under Title VI of the Act to receive ODS. (m) Reduced crew... for determining the amount of ODS that is to be paid for an item of subsidizable expense. (q...

46 CFR 381.8 - Subsidized vessel participation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... from MARAD an amount for the operating-differential subsidy (ODS) likely to be paid for the carriage of... subsidized bidders; (2) Deriving “augmented bids” for the subsidized operators by adding the ODS amount to... on MARAD's calculation of anticipated costs (less ODS in the case of a subsidized vessel) for the...

Essentials for Successful Organization Development Efforts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boss, R. Wayne

1979-01-01

The purpose of organization development (OD) is to improve an organization's effectiveness in making decisions and changes and to reach the full potential of its personnel. Objectives of OD and essentials for successful programs are listed. Definitions of essentials and how they add to the effectiveness of OD are presented. (Author/BEF)

Progress in Organization Development Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roberts, Nancy C.; Porras, Jerry I.

1982-01-01

Describes major areas of progress in organization development (OD): progress in operationalizing the concept of change; progress in improving measurement; and progress in designing statistical procedures used to analyze OD intervention data. Suggests recent research developments point to a more solid base on which to build OD practice and theory.…

46 CFR 280.8 - Certain ODS agreement provisions not affected.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Certain ODS agreement provisions not affected. 280.8 Section 280.8 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS AFFECTING... LINER OPERATORS § 280.8 Certain ODS agreement provisions not affected. The provisions of this part are...

Towards Healthy Organizations: The Use of Organization Development in Academic Libraries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parsch, Janet H.; Baughman, M. Sue

2010-01-01

Two surveys assess use of organization development (OD) in Association of Research Libraries. Analysis presents organizational, deans', and staff professionals' perspectives on OD use. The study is the first broad analysis of academic library OD use and supports the concept of the "healthy organization." (Contains 12 tables.)

Emergence of amplitude and oscillation death in identical coupled oscillators.

PubMed

Zou, Wei; Senthilkumar, D V; Duan, Jinqiao; Kurths, Jürgen

2014-09-01

We deduce rigorous conditions for the onset of amplitude death (AD) and oscillation death (OD) in a system of identical coupled paradigmatic Stuart-Landau oscillators. A nonscalar coupling and high frequency are beneficial for the onset of AD. In strong contrast, scalar diffusive coupling and low intrinsic frequency are in favor of the emergence of OD. Our finding contributes to clearly distinguish intrinsic geneses for AD and OD, and further substantially corroborates that AD and OD are indeed two dynamically distinct oscillation quenching phenomena due to distinctly different mechanisms.

Prevention of the Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome After Liver Transplantation: A Multidisciplinary Perspective.

PubMed

Crismale, J F; Meliambro, K A; DeMaria, S; Bronster, D B; Florman, S; Schiano, T D

2017-10-01

The osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) is a serious neurologic condition that occurs in the setting of rapid correction of hyponatremia. It presents with protean manifestations, from encephalopathy to the "locked-in" syndrome. ODS can complicate liver transplantation (LT), and its incidence may increase with the inclusion of serum sodium as a factor in the Mayo End-Stage Liver Disease score. A comprehensive understanding of risk factors for the development of ODS in the setting of LT, along with recommendations to mitigate the risk of ODS, are necessary. The literature to date on ODS in the setting of LT was reviewed. Major risk factors for the development of ODS include severe pretransplant hyponatremia (serum sodium [SNa] < 125 mEq/L), the magnitude of change in SNa pre- versus posttransplant, higher positive intraoperative fluid balance, and the presence of postoperative hemorrhagic complications. Strategies to reduce the risk of ODS include correcting hyponatremia pretransplant via fluid restriction and/or ensuring an appropriate rate of increase from the preoperative SNa via close attention to fluid and electrolyte management both during and after surgery. Multidisciplinary management involving transplant hepatology, nephrology, neurology, surgery, and anesthesiology/critical care is key to performing LT safely in patients with hyponatremia. © 2017 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

Development of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) Ferritic Steel Through Powder Forging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Deepak; Prakash, Ujjwal; Dabhade, Vikram V.; Laha, K.; Sakthivel, T.

2017-04-01

Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steels are candidates for cladding tubes in fast breeder nuclear reactors. In this study, an 18%Cr ODS ferritic steel was prepared through powder forging route. Elemental powders with a nominal composition of Fe-18Cr-2 W-0.2Ti (composition in wt.%) with 0 and 0.35% yttria were prepared by mechanical alloying in a Simoloyer attritor under argon atmosphere. The alloyed powders were heated in a mild steel can to 1473 K under flowing hydrogen atmosphere. The can was then hot forged. Steps of sealing, degassing and evacuation are eliminated by using powder forging. Heating ODS powder in hydrogen atmosphere ensures good bonding between alloy powders. A dense ODS alloy with an attractive combination of strength and ductility was obtained after re-forging. On testing at 973 K, a loss in ductility was observed in yttria-containing alloy. The strength and ductility increased with increase in strain rate at 973 K. Reasons for this are discussed. The ODS alloy exhibited a recrystallized microstructure which is difficult to achieve by extrusion. No prior particle boundaries were observed after forging. The forged compacts exhibited isotropic mechanical properties. It is suggested that powder forging may offer several advantages over the traditional extrusion/HIP routes for fabrication of ODS alloys.

Changes in cytokinins are sufficient to alter developmental patterns of defense metabolites in Nicotiana attenuata.

PubMed

Brütting, Christoph; Schäfer, Martin; Vanková, Radomíra; Gase, Klaus; Baldwin, Ian T; Meldau, Stefan

2017-01-01

Plant defense metabolites are well known to be regulated developmentally. The optimal defense (OD) theory posits that a tssue's fitness values and probability of attack should determine defense metabolite allocations. Young leaves are expected to provide a larger fitness value to the plant, and therefore their defense allocations should be higher when compared with older leaves. The mechanisms that coordinate development with defense remain unknown and frequently confound tests of the OD theory predictions. Here we demonstrate that cytokinins (CKs) modulate ontogeny-dependent defenses in Nicotiana attenuata. We found that leaf CK levels highly correlate with inducible defense expressions with high levels in young and low levels in older leaves. We genetically manipulated the developmental patterns of two different CK classes by using senescence- and chemically inducible expression of CK biosynthesis genes. Genetically modifying the levels of different CKs in leaves was sufficient to alter ontogenic patterns of defense metabolites. We conclude that the developmental regulation of growth hormones that include CKs plays central roles in connecting development with defense and therefore in establishing optimal patterns of defense allocation in plants. © 2016 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

High-resolution one-photon absorption spectroscopy of the D2Σ- ← X2 Π system of radical OH and OD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heays, A. N.; de Oliveira, N.; Gans, B.; Ito, K.; Boyé-Péronne, S.; Douin, S.; Hickson, K. M.; Nahon, L.; Loison, J. C.

2018-01-01

Vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) photoabsorption spectra were recorded of the A2Σ+(v‧ = 0) ← X2 Π(v‧‧ = 0) , D2Σ-(v‧ = 0) ← X2 Π(v‧‧ = 0) and D2Σ-(v‧ = 1) ← X2 Π(v‧‧ = 0) bands of the OH and OD radicals generated in a plasma-discharge source using synchrotron radiation as a background continuum coupled with the VUV Fourier-transform spectrometer on the DESIRS beamline of synchrotron SOLEIL. High-resolution spectra permitted the quantification of transition frequencies, relative f-values, and natural line broadening. The f-values were absolutely calibrated with respect to a previous measurement of A2Σ+(v‧ = 0) ← X2 Π(v‧‧ = 0) (Wang et al., 1979). Lifetime broadening of the excited D2Σ-(v = 0) and D2Σ-(v = 1) levels is measured for the first time and compared with previous experimental limits, and implies a lifetime 5 times shorter than a theoretical prediction (van der Loo and Groenenboom, 2005). A local perturbation of the D2Σ-(v = 0) level in OH was found.

Home-based exercise for elderly patients with intermittent claudication limited by osteoarticular disorders - feasibility and effectiveness of a low-intensity programme.

PubMed

Lamberti, Nicola; Straudi, Sofia; Lissia, Efisio; Cavazzini, Lorenza; Buja, Sergio; Manfredini, Roberto; Basaglia, Nino; Manfredini, Fabio

2018-04-01

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common cardiovascular pathology affecting mobility in elderly. Osteoarticular diseases (ODs), responsible for functional limitations and confounding leg symptoms, may interfere with exercise therapy. This study evaluates the feasibility and effectiveness of a structured home-based exercise programme on rehabilitative outcomes in a cohort of elderly PAD patients with and without coexisting ODs. Patients were enrolled from 2002 to 2016 in an exercise programme prescribed and controlled at the hospital and based on two daily 10-minute home walking sessions below the self-selected speed. The presence and localization of ODs at baseline were derived from consultation of medical documents. The ankle-brachial index and functional outcomes, defined as speed at the onset of claudication and attainable maximal speed by an incremental treadmill test, were assessed at baseline and discharge. Feasibility was determined according to dropout rate, number of visits, duration of the programme, and adherence. A total of 1,251 PAD patients were enrolled (931 men; 71 ± 9 years; 0.63 ± 0.19 ankle-brachial index). Eight hundred sixty-four patients were free of ODs (ODfree PAD , 69 %), whereas 387 were affected by ODs (OD PAD , 31 %), predominantly located in the spine (72 %). In the logistic regression models, the presence of ODs was associated with female sex, overweight, sedentary and/or driving professions. At discharge, OD PAD and ODfree PAD did not differ in dropout rates (12 % each), programme duration (378 ± 241 vs. 390 ± 260 days), number of visits (7 ± 3 each), and adherence (80 % each). Similar improvements for OD PAD and ODfree PAD were observed for the ankle-brachial index (0.06 ± 0.12 each), the speed at onset of claudication (0.7 ± 0.7 vs. 0.7 ± 0.8 kmh-1; p = 0.70), and maximal speed (0.4 ± 0.6 vs. 0.4 ± 0.6 kmh-1; p = 0.77). Equally satisfactory rehabilitative outcomes were observed in elderly patients with claudication limited by ODs who completed a well-tolerated, low-impact structured exercise programme.

Environmental enrichment accelerates ocular dominance plasticity in mouse visual cortex whereas transfer to standard cages resulted in a rapid loss of increased plasticity.

PubMed

Kalogeraki, Evgenia; Pielecka-Fortuna, Justyna; Löwel, Siegrid

2017-01-01

In standard cage (SC) raised mice, experience-dependent ocular dominance (OD) plasticity in the primary visual cortex (V1) rapidly declines with age: in postnatal day 25-35 (critical period) mice, 4 days of monocular deprivation (MD) are sufficient to induce OD-shifts towards the open eye; thereafter, 7 days of MD are needed. Beyond postnatal day 110, even 14 days of MD failed to induce OD-plasticity in mouse V1. In contrast, mice raised in a so-called "enriched environment" (EE), exhibit lifelong OD-plasticity. EE-mice have more voluntary physical exercise (running wheels), and experience more social interactions (bigger housing groups) and more cognitive stimulation (regularly changed labyrinths or toys). Whether experience-dependent shifts of V1-activation happen faster in EE-mice and how long the plasticity promoting effect would persist after transferring EE-mice back to SCs has not yet been investigated. To this end, we used intrinsic signal optical imaging to visualize V1-activation i) before and after MD in EE-mice of different age groups (from 1-9 months), and ii) after transferring mice back to SCs after postnatal day 130. Already after 2 days of MD, and thus much faster than in SC-mice, EE-mice of all tested age groups displayed a significant OD-shift towards the open eye. Transfer of EE-mice to SCs immediately abolished OD-plasticity: already after 1 week of SC-housing and MD, OD-shifts could no longer be visualized. In an attempt to rescue abolished OD-plasticity of these mice, we either administered the anti-depressant fluoxetine (in drinking water) or supplied a running wheel in the SCs. OD-plasticity was only rescued for the running wheel- mice. Altogether our results show that raising mice in less deprived environments like large EE-cages strongly accelerates experience-dependent changes in V1-activation compared to the impoverished SC-raising. Furthermore, preventing voluntary physical exercise of EE-mice in adulthood immediately precludes OD-shifts in V1.

Environmental enrichment accelerates ocular dominance plasticity in mouse visual cortex whereas transfer to standard cages resulted in a rapid loss of increased plasticity

PubMed Central

Pielecka-Fortuna, Justyna; Löwel, Siegrid

2017-01-01

In standard cage (SC) raised mice, experience-dependent ocular dominance (OD) plasticity in the primary visual cortex (V1) rapidly declines with age: in postnatal day 25–35 (critical period) mice, 4 days of monocular deprivation (MD) are sufficient to induce OD-shifts towards the open eye; thereafter, 7 days of MD are needed. Beyond postnatal day 110, even 14 days of MD failed to induce OD-plasticity in mouse V1. In contrast, mice raised in a so-called “enriched environment” (EE), exhibit lifelong OD-plasticity. EE-mice have more voluntary physical exercise (running wheels), and experience more social interactions (bigger housing groups) and more cognitive stimulation (regularly changed labyrinths or toys). Whether experience-dependent shifts of V1-activation happen faster in EE-mice and how long the plasticity promoting effect would persist after transferring EE-mice back to SCs has not yet been investigated. To this end, we used intrinsic signal optical imaging to visualize V1-activation i) before and after MD in EE-mice of different age groups (from 1–9 months), and ii) after transferring mice back to SCs after postnatal day 130. Already after 2 days of MD, and thus much faster than in SC-mice, EE-mice of all tested age groups displayed a significant OD-shift towards the open eye. Transfer of EE-mice to SCs immediately abolished OD-plasticity: already after 1 week of SC-housing and MD, OD-shifts could no longer be visualized. In an attempt to rescue abolished OD-plasticity of these mice, we either administered the anti-depressant fluoxetine (in drinking water) or supplied a running wheel in the SCs. OD-plasticity was only rescued for the running wheel- mice. Altogether our results show that raising mice in less deprived environments like large EE-cages strongly accelerates experience-dependent changes in V1-activation compared to the impoverished SC-raising. Furthermore, preventing voluntary physical exercise of EE-mice in adulthood immediately precludes OD-shifts in V1. PMID:29073219

Fire Management/Suppression Systems/Concepts Relating to Aircraft Cabin Fire Safety.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-07-01

polyamide- cm; cell size, cm; paper honeycomb; paper honeycomb; density, kg/cm 3 ; filler 2.413;0.31; 48.06; 2.413;0.31; 48.06; no core filler no core...0 4’ 14 ~ 1 4 44 N4 El4 (36M -11 - 0 0 N4 8A 0o N. 0 04 0n 0m C,0 0 44 . . 000040 -t 0 0 880 -8 ,0 04 0 C, 0 C4 4-0 OD -CD0C, m. g G - C4 A - 40 a

Bacterial community shift during the startup of a full-scale oxidation ditch treating sewage.

PubMed

Chen, Yajun; Ye, Lin; Zhao, Fuzheng; Xiao, Lin; Cheng, Shupei; Zhang, Xu-Xiang

2016-10-06

Oxidation ditch (OD) is one of the most widely used processes for treating municipal wastewater. However, the microbial communities in the OD systems have not been well characterized and little information about the shift of bacterial community during the startup process of the OD systems is available. In this study, we investigated the bacterial community changes during the startup period (over 100 days) of a full-scale OD. The results showed that the bacterial community dramatically changed during the startup period. Similar to the activated sludge samples in other studies, Proteobacteria (accounting for 26.3%~48.4%) was the most dominant bacterial phylum in the OD system but its relative abundance declined nearly 40% during the startup process. It was also found that Planctomycetes proliferated greatly (from 4.79% to 13.5%) and finally replaced Bacteroidetes as the second abundant phylum in the OD system. Specifically, some bacteria affiliated with Flavobacterium genus of exhibited remarkable decreasing trends, while bacterial species belonging to OD1 candidate division and Saprospiraceae family were found to increase during the startup process. Despite of the bacterial community shift, the organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus in the effluent were always in low concentrations, suggesting the functional redundancy of the bacterial community. Moreover, by comparing with the bacterial community in other municipal wastewater treatment bioreactors, some potentially novel bacterial species were found to be present in the OD system. Collectively, this study improved our understandings of bacterial community structure and the microbial ecology during the startup of full-scale wastewater treatment bioreactor.

Protective factors can mitigate behavior problems after prenatal cocaine and other drug exposures.

PubMed

Bada, Henrietta S; Bann, Carla M; Whitaker, Toni M; Bauer, Charles R; Shankaran, Seetha; Lagasse, Linda; Lester, Barry M; Hammond, Jane; Higgins, Rosemary

2012-12-01

We determined the role of risk and protective factors on the trajectories of behavior problems associated with high prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE)/polydrug exposure. The Maternal Lifestyle Study enrolled 1388 children with or without PCE, assessed through age 15 years. Because most women using cocaine during pregnancy also used other substances, we analyzed for the effects of 4 categories of prenatal drug exposure: high PCE/other drugs (OD), some PCE/OD, OD/no PCE, and no PCE/no OD. Risks and protective factors at individual, family, and community levels that may be associated with behavior outcomes were entered stepwise into latent growth curve models, then replaced by cumulative risk and protective indexes, and finally by a combination of levels of risk and protective indexes. Main outcome measures were the trajectories of externalizing, internalizing, total behavior, and attention problems scores from the Child Behavior Checklist (parent). A total of 1022 (73.6%) children had known outcomes. High PCE/OD significantly predicted externalizing, total, and attention problems when considering the balance between risk and protective indexes. Some PCE/OD predicted externalizing and attention problems. OD/no PCE also predicted behavior outcomes except for internalizing behavior. High level of protective factors was associated with declining trajectories of problem behavior scores over time, independent of drug exposure and risk index scores. High PCE/OD is a significant risk for behavior problems in adolescence; protective factors may attenuate its detrimental effects. Clinical practice and public health policies should consider enhancing protective factors while minimizing risks to improve outcomes of drug-exposed children.

Occupational Dermatoses by Type of Work in Greece

PubMed Central

Zorba, Eleni; Karpouzis, Antony; Zorbas, Alexandros; Bazas, Theodore; Zorbas, Sam; Alexopoulos, Elias; Zorbas, Ilias; Kouskoukis, Konstantinos; Konstandinidis, Theodoros

2013-01-01

Background To elucidate the relationship between seven occupational dermatoses (ODs) and 20 types of work in Greece. Methods This was a prevalence epidemiologic study of certain ODs among 4,000 workers employed in 20 types of enterprise, in 104 companies, in 2006–2012, using data from company medical records, questionnaires, occupational medical, and special examinations. The χ2 test was applied to reveal statistically significant relationships between types of enterprises and occurrence of ODs. Results A high percentage (39.9%) of employees included in the study population suffered from ODs. The highest prevalence rates were noted among hairdressers (of contact dermatitis: 30%), cooks (of contact dermatitis: 29.5%), bitumen workers (of acne: 23.5%), car industry workers (of mechanical injury: 15%), construction workers (of contact urticaria: 29.5%), industrial cleaning workers (of chemical burns: 13%), and farmers (of malignant tumors: 5.5%). We observed several statistical significant correlations between ODs (acute and chronic contact dermatitis, urticaria, mechanical injury, acne, burns, skin cancer) and certain types of enterprises. There was no statistically significant correlation between gender and prevalence of ODs, except for dermatoses caused by mechanical injuries afflicting mainly men [χ2 (1) = 13.40, p < 0.001] and for chronic contact dermatitis [χ2 (1) = 5.53, p = 0.019] afflicting mainly women. Conclusion Prevalence of ODs is high in Greece, contrary to all official reports by the Greek National Institute of Health. There is a need to introduce a nationwide voluntary surveillance system for reporting ODs and to enhance skin protection measures at work. PMID:24106644

Prevalence of pelvic floor symptoms in female patients attending the two-week wait clinic with suspected colorectal cancer.

PubMed

Bennett, J; Greenwood, A; Durdey, P; Glancy, D

2016-07-01

Introduction The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of pelvic floor symptoms in women referred to a colorectal two-week wait (2WW) clinic with suspected colorectal cancer. Methods A questionnaire assessing faecal incontinence (FI) (Wexner score) and obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) (Renzi score) was offered to 98 consecutive female patients attending a colorectal 2WW clinic at a single trust. Results Overall, 56 (57%) of the 98 patients had significant ODS and/or FI (scores >9/20), 33 (34%) had ODS and 40 (41%) had FI. Seventeen patients (17%) had both ODS and FI. Analysis of the 63 patients referred with a change in bowel habit (CIBH) showed 40 (63%) to be Renzi and/or Wexner positive compared with 16 (46%) of the 35 patients who presented without CIBH (p=0.095, Fisher's exact test). Further analysis showed that 31 (78%) of the 40 patients with FI presented with CIBH compared with 32 (55%) of the 58 without FI (p=0.032). In terms of ODS, 23 (70%) of the 33 patients with ODS presented with CIBH compared with 40 (62%) of the 65 without ODS (p=0.506). Conclusions Over half of the female patients attending our colorectal 2WW clinic had significant pelvic floor dysfunction (FI/ODS), which may account for their symptoms (especially in the CIBH referral category). While it is important for malignancy to be excluded, many patients may benefit from investigation and management of their pelvic floor dysfunction as the cause for their presenting symptoms.

Occupational dermatoses by type of work in Greece.

PubMed

Zorba, Eleni; Karpouzis, Antony; Zorbas, Alexandros; Bazas, Theodore; Zorbas, Sam; Alexopoulos, Elias; Zorbas, Ilias; Kouskoukis, Konstantinos; Konstandinidis, Theodoros

2013-09-01

To elucidate the relationship between seven occupational dermatoses (ODs) and 20 types of work in Greece. This was a prevalence epidemiologic study of certain ODs among 4,000 workers employed in 20 types of enterprise, in 104 companies, in 2006-2012, using data from company medical records, questionnaires, occupational medical, and special examinations. The χ(2) test was applied to reveal statistically significant relationships between types of enterprises and occurrence of ODs. A high percentage (39.9%) of employees included in the study population suffered from ODs. The highest prevalence rates were noted among hairdressers (of contact dermatitis: 30%), cooks (of contact dermatitis: 29.5%), bitumen workers (of acne: 23.5%), car industry workers (of mechanical injury: 15%), construction workers (of contact urticaria: 29.5%), industrial cleaning workers (of chemical burns: 13%), and farmers (of malignant tumors: 5.5%). We observed several statistical significant correlations between ODs (acute and chronic contact dermatitis, urticaria, mechanical injury, acne, burns, skin cancer) and certain types of enterprises. There was no statistically significant correlation between gender and prevalence of ODs, except for dermatoses caused by mechanical injuries afflicting mainly men [χ(2) (1) = 13.40, p < 0.001] and for chronic contact dermatitis [χ(2) (1) = 5.53, p = 0.019] afflicting mainly women. Prevalence of ODs is high in Greece, contrary to all official reports by the Greek National Institute of Health. There is a need to introduce a nationwide voluntary surveillance system for reporting ODs and to enhance skin protection measures at work.

77 FR 5193 - Retrospective Review Under E.O. 13563: Shipping-Removal of Obsolete Regulations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-02

... Program, which replaced the Operating-Differential Subsidy (ODS) Program. Therefore, the regulations pertaining to the ODS Program and the Construction-Differential (CDS) Program are no longer in use. In... regulations 46 CFR parts 251, 252, 276, 280, 281,282, and 283. The regulations related to the ODS Program are...

46 CFR 280.11 - Example of calculation and sample report.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... subsidized under an ODS agreement made in accordance with § 280.3. Total annual subsidy payable for Company A... carriage of competitive cargo. Accordingly, total ODS payable to Company A for voyages terminated during... of service ODS payable $400,000 (Outbound freight revenue, $4 million, divided by total gross revenue...

Irradiation creep and microstructural changes in an advanced ODS ferritic steel during helium implantation under stress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, J.; Pouchon, M. A.; Kimura, A.; Jung, P.; Hoffelner, W.

2009-04-01

An advanced oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steel with very fine oxide particles has been homogeneously implanted with helium under uniaxial tensile stresses from 20 to 250 MPa to a maximum dose of about 0.38 dpa (1650 appm-He) with displacement damage rates of 4.4 × 10 -6 dpa/s at temperatures of 573 and 773 K. The samples were in the form of miniaturized dog-bones, where during the helium implantation the straining and the electrical resistance were monitored simultaneously. Creep compliances were measured to be 4.0 × 10 -6 and 11 × 10 -6 dpa -1 MPa -1 at 573 and 773 K, respectively. The resistivity of ODS steel samples decreased with dose, indicating segregation and/or precipitation. Evolution of microstructure during helium implantation was studied in detail by TEM. The effects of ODS particle size on irradiation creep and microstructural changes was investigated by comparing the results from the present advanced ODS (K1) to a commercial ODS ferritic steels (PM2000) with much bigger oxide particles.

Comparison of a polymeric pseudostationary phase in EKC with ODS stationary phase in RP-HPLC.

PubMed

Ni, Xinjiong; Zhang, Min; Xing, Xiaoping; Cao, Yuhua; Cao, Guangqun

2018-01-01

Poly(stearyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) (P(SMA-co-MAA)) was induced as pseudostationary phase (PSP) in electrokinetic chromatography (EKC). The n-octadecyl groups in SMA were the same as that in octadecylsilane (ODS) C18 column. Thus, the present work focused on the comparison of selectivity between polymeric PSP and ODS stationary phase (SP), and the effect of organic modifiers on the selectivity of polymeric PSP and ODS SP. 1-butanol could directly interacted with PSP as a Class I modifier, and improved both of the methylene selectivity and polar group selectivity. When the analysis times were similar, the polymeric PSP exhibited better methylene selectivity and polar group selectivity. Although the hydrophobic groups were similar, the substituted benzenes elution order was different between polymeric PSP and ODS SP. Linear solvation energy relationships (LSER) model analysis found that polymeric PSP and ODS SP exhibited two same key factors in selectivity: hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding acidity. But polymeric PSP exhibited relatively strong n- and π-electrons interaction to the analytes. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Quantitative isotopic measurements of gas-phase alcohol mixtures using a broadly tunable swept external cavity quantum cascade laser

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brumfield, B. E.; Phillips, M. C.

A swept-ECQCL is used for broadband IR spectroscopy of isotopic mixtures of CH3OH, CH3OD, CH3CH2OH, and CH3CH2OD in a static gas cell over a wavelength range of 9.5 to 10.4 µm. A weighted least squares fitting approach with quantitative library spectra illustrates that significant spectral congestion does not negatively impact the ability for in situ quantification of large isotopic species in a mixture. The noise equivalent concentrations for CH3OH, CH3OD, CH3CH2OH, and CH3CH2OD are 19 ppbv x m, 28 ppbv x m, 450 ppbv x m, and 330 ppbv x m respectively for a 50 second integration time. Based onmore » the observed NECs, isotopic precisions of 0.07‰ and 0.79‰ for a 50 s integration time are calculated for measurements of the [MeOD]/[MeOH] and [EtOD]/[EtOH] isotope ratios , respectively, for the species concentrations in the gas cell.« less

Flight dynamics facility operational orbit determination support for the ocean topography experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bolvin, D. T.; Schanzle, A. F.; Samii, M. V.; Doll, C. E.

1991-01-01

The Ocean Topography Experiment (TOPEX/POSEIDON) mission is designed to determine the topography of the Earth's sea surface across a 3 yr period, beginning with launch in June 1992. The Goddard Space Flight Center Dynamics Facility has the capability to operationally receive and process Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) tracking data. Because these data will be used to support orbit determination (OD) aspects of the TOPEX mission, the Dynamics Facility was designated to perform TOPEX operational OD. The scientific data require stringent OD accuracy in navigating the TOPEX spacecraft. The OD accuracy requirements fall into two categories: (1) on orbit free flight; and (2) maneuver. The maneuver OD accuracy requirements are of two types; premaneuver planning and postmaneuver evaluation. Analysis using the Orbit Determination Error Analysis System (ODEAS) covariance software has shown that, during the first postlaunch mission phase of the TOPEX mission, some postmaneuver evaluation OD accuracy requirements cannot be met. ODEAS results also show that the most difficult requirements to meet are those that determine the change in the components of velocity for postmaneuver evaluation.

Detecting the optic disc boundary in digital fundus images using morphological, edge detection, and feature extraction techniques.

PubMed

Aquino, Arturo; Gegundez-Arias, Manuel Emilio; Marin, Diego

2010-11-01

Optic disc (OD) detection is an important step in developing systems for automated diagnosis of various serious ophthalmic pathologies. This paper presents a new template-based methodology for segmenting the OD from digital retinal images. This methodology uses morphological and edge detection techniques followed by the Circular Hough Transform to obtain a circular OD boundary approximation. It requires a pixel located within the OD as initial information. For this purpose, a location methodology based on a voting-type algorithm is also proposed. The algorithms were evaluated on the 1200 images of the publicly available MESSIDOR database. The location procedure succeeded in 99% of cases, taking an average computational time of 1.67 s. with a standard deviation of 0.14 s. On the other hand, the segmentation algorithm rendered an average common area overlapping between automated segmentations and true OD regions of 86%. The average computational time was 5.69 s with a standard deviation of 0.54 s. Moreover, a discussion on advantages and disadvantages of the models more generally used for OD segmentation is also presented in this paper.

High resolution SEM characterization of nano-precipitates in ODS steels.

PubMed

Jóźwik, Iwona; Strojny-Nędza, Agata; Chmielewski, Marcin; Pietrzak, Katarzyna; Kurpaska, Łukasz; Nosewicz, Szymon

2018-05-01

The performance of the present-day scanning electron microscopy (SEM) extends far beyond delivering electronic images of the surface topography. Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steel is on of the most promising materials for the future nuclear fusion reactor because of its good radiation resistance, and higher operation temperature up to 750°C. The microstructure of ODS should not exceed tens of nm, therefore there is a strong need in a fast and reliable technique for their characterization. In this work, the results of low-kV SEM characterization of nanoprecipitates formed in the ODS matrix are presented. Application of highly sensitive photo-diode BSE detector in SEM imaging allowed for the registration of single nm-sized precipitates in the vicinity of the ODS alloys. The composition of the precipitates has been confirmed by TEM-EDS. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Corrigendum to 'On the influence of microstructure on the fracture behaviour of hot extruded ferritic ODS steels' [J. Nucl. Mater. 497 (2017) 60-75

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, A.; Viehrig, H. W.; Altstadt, E.; Heintze, C.; Hoffmann, J.

2018-02-01

ODS steels are known to show inferior fracture properties as compared to ferritic martensitic non-ODS steels. Hot extruded 13Cr ODS steel however, showed excellent fracture toughness at a temperature range from room temperature to 400 °C. In this work, the factors which resulted in superior and anisotropic fracture behaviour were investigated by comparing different orientations of two hot extruded materials using scanning electron, electron backscatter and transmission electron microscopy. Fracture behaviour of the two materials was compared using unloading compliance fracture toughness tests. Anisotropic fracture toughness was predominantly influenced by grain morphology. Superior fracture toughness in 13Cr ODS-KIT was predominantly influenced by factors such as smaller void inducing particle size and higher sub-micron particle-matrix interfacial strength.

Activity-Based Protein Profiling of Ammonia Monooxygenase in Nitrosomonas europaea

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bennett, Kristen; Sadler, Natalie C.; Wright, Aaron T.

Nitrosomonas europaeais an aerobic nitrifying bacterium that oxidizes ammonia (NH 3) to nitrite (NO 2 ₋) through the sequential activities of ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) and hydroxylamine dehydrogenase (HAO). Many alkynes are mechanism-based inactivators of AMO, and here we describe an activity-based protein profiling method for this enzyme using 1,7-octadiyne (17OD) as a probe. Inactivation of NH 4 +-dependent O 2uptake byN. europaeaby 17OD was time- and concentration-dependent. The effects of 17OD were specific for ammonia-oxidizing activity, andde novoprotein synthesis was required to reestablish this activity after cells were exposed to 17OD. Cells were reacted with Alexa Fluor 647 azide usingmore » a copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) (click) reaction, solubilized, and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and infrared (IR) scanning. A fluorescent 28-kDa polypeptide was observed for cells previously exposed to 17OD but not for cells treated with either allylthiourea or acetylene prior to exposure to 17OD or for cells not previously exposed to 17OD. The fluorescent polypeptide was membrane associated and aggregated when heated with β-mercaptoethanol and SDS. The fluorescent polypeptide was also detected in cells pretreated with other diynes, but not in cells pretreated with structural homologs containing a single ethynyl functional group. The membrane fraction from 17OD-treated cells was conjugated with biotin-azide and solubilized in SDS. Streptavidin affinity-purified polypeptides were on-bead trypsin-digested, and amino acid sequences of the peptide fragments were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. Peptide fragments from AmoA were the predominant peptides detected in 17OD-treated samples. In-gel digestion and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–tandem time of flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) analyses also confirmed that the fluorescent 28-kDa polypeptide was AmoA.« less

Hydrophilization of Magnetic Nanoparticles with Modified Alternating Copolymers. Part 1: The Influence of the Grafting

PubMed Central

Bronstein, Lyudmila M.; Shtykova, Eleonora V.; Malyutin, Andrey; Dyke, Jason C.; Gunn, Emily; Gao, Xinfeng; Stein, Barry; Konarev, Peter V.; Dragnea, Bogdan; Svergun, Dmitri I.

2010-01-01

Iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) with a diameter 21.6 nm were coated with poly(maleic acid-alt-1-octadecene) (PMAcOD) modified with grafted 5,000 Da poly(ethyelene glycol) (PEG) or short ethylene glycol (EG) tails. The coating procedure utilizes hydrophobic interactions of octadecene and oleic acid tails, while the hydrolysis of maleic anhydride moieties as well as the presence of hydrophilic PEG (EG) tails allows the NP hydrophilicity. The success of the NP coating was found to be independent of the degree of grafting which was varied between 20 and 80% of the –MacOD-units, but depended on the length of the grafted tail. The NP coating and hydrophilization did not occur when the modified copolymer contained 750 Da PEG tails independently of the grafting degree. To explain this phenomenon the micellization of the modified PMAcOD copolymers in water was analyzed by small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). The PMAcOD molecules with the grafted 750 Da PEG tails form compact non-interacting disk-like micelles, whose stability apparently allows for no interactions with the NP hydrophobic shells. The PMAcOD containing the 5,000 Da PEG and EG tails form much larger aggregates capable of an efficient coating of the NPs. The coated NPs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, ζ-potential measurements, and thermal gravimetry analysis. The latter method demonstrated that the presence of long PEG tails in modified PMAcOD allows the attachment of fewer macromolecules (by a factor of ~20) compared to the case of non-modified or EG modified PMAcOD, emphasizing the importance of PEG tails in NP hydrophilization. The NPs coated with PMAcOD modified with 60% (towards all –MAcOD- units) of the 5,000 PEG tails bear a significant negative charge and display good stability in buffers. Such NPs can be useful as magnetic cores for virus-like particle formation. PMID:21221425

Activation and Coagulation Biomarkers are Independent Predictors for the Development of Opportunistic Disease in Patients with HIV Infection

PubMed Central

Rodger, Alison J; Fox, Zoe; Lundgren, Jens D; Kuller, Lew; Boesecke, Christoph; Gey, Daniela; Skoutelis, Athanassios; Goetz, Matthew Bidwell; Phillips, Andrew N

2010-01-01

Background Activation and coagulation biomarkers were measured within the SMART trial. Their associations with opportunistic disease (OD) in HIV-positive patients were examined. Methods Inflammatory (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP], interleukin-6 [IL-6], amyloid-A, and amyloid-P) and coagulation (D-dimer and prothrombin-fragment 1+2) markers were determined. Conditional logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between these biomarkers and risk of OD. Results The 91 patients who developed an OD were matched to 182 controls. Patients with hsCRP≥5 μg/mL at baseline had a 3.5 (95%CI: 1.5-8.1) higher odds of OD versus those with hsCRP<1 μg/ml, Ptrend=0.003, and patients with IL-6≥3 pg/mL at baseline had a 2.4 (95%CI: 1.0-5.4) higher odds of OD versus those with IL-6<1.5 pg/mL, Ptrend=0.02. No other baseline biomarkers predicted development of an OD. Latest hsCRP (OR: 7.6 (95%CI: 2.0-28.5) for those with hsCRP≥5 μg/mL versus hsCRP<1 μg/mL, Ptrend=0.002), latest amyloid-A (OR: 3.8 (95%CI: 1.1-13.4) for those with amyloid-A ≥6 mg/L versus amyloid-A <2 mg/L, Ptrend=0.03) and latest IL-6 (OR 2.4 (95%CI: 0.7-8.8) for those with IL-6≥3 pg/mL versus IL-6<1.5 pg/mL, Ptrend=0.04) were also associated with developing an OD. Conclusions Higher IL-6 and hsCRP independently predicted development of OD. These biomarkers could provide additional prognostic information for predicting risk of OD. PMID:19678756

Development of ODS FeCrAl alloys for accident-tolerant fuel cladding

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dryepondt, Sebastien N.; Hoelzer, David T.; Pint, Bruce A.

2015-09-18

FeCrAl alloys are prime candidates for accident-tolerant fuel cladding due to their excellent oxidation resistance up to 1400 C and good mechanical properties at intermediate temperature. Former commercial oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) FeCrAl alloys such as PM2000 exhibit significantly better tensile strength than wrought FeCrAl alloys, which would alloy for the fabrication of a very thin (~250 m) ODS FeCrAl cladding and limit the neutronic penalty from the replacement of Zr-based alloys by Fe-based alloys. Several Fe-12-Cr-5Al ODS alloys where therefore fabricated by ball milling FeCrAl powders with Y2O3 and additional oxides such as TiO 2 or ZrO 2. Themore » new Fe-12Cr-5Al ODS alloys showed excellent tensile strength up to 800 C but limited ductility. Good oxidation resistance in steam at 1200 and 1400 C was observed except for one ODS FeCrAl alloy containing Ti. Rolling trials were conducted at 300, 600 C and 800 C to simulate the fabrication of thin tube cladding and a plate thickness of ~0.6mm was reached before the formation of multiple edge cracks. Hardness measurements at different stages of the rolling process, before and after annealing for 1h at 1000 C, showed that a thinner plate thickness could likely be achieved by using a multi-step approach combining warm rolling and high temperature annealing. Finally, new Fe-10-12Cr-5.5-6Al-Z gas atomized powders have been purchased to fabricate the second generation of low-Cr ODS FeCrAl alloys. The main goals are to assess the effect of O, C, N and Zr contents on the ODS FeCrAl microstructure and mechanical properties, and to optimize the fabrication process to improve the ductility of the 2nd gen ODS FeCrAl while maintaining good mechanical strength and oxidation resistance.« less

Evaluating the Good Ontology Design Guideline (GoodOD) with the Ontology Quality Requirements and Evaluation Method and Metrics (OQuaRE)

PubMed Central

Duque-Ramos, Astrid; Boeker, Martin; Jansen, Ludger; Schulz, Stefan; Iniesta, Miguela; Fernández-Breis, Jesualdo Tomás

2014-01-01

Objective To (1) evaluate the GoodOD guideline for ontology development by applying the OQuaRE evaluation method and metrics to the ontology artefacts that were produced by students in a randomized controlled trial, and (2) informally compare the OQuaRE evaluation method with gold standard and competency questions based evaluation methods, respectively. Background In the last decades many methods for ontology construction and ontology evaluation have been proposed. However, none of them has become a standard and there is no empirical evidence of comparative evaluation of such methods. This paper brings together GoodOD and OQuaRE. GoodOD is a guideline for developing robust ontologies. It was previously evaluated in a randomized controlled trial employing metrics based on gold standard ontologies and competency questions as outcome parameters. OQuaRE is a method for ontology quality evaluation which adapts the SQuaRE standard for software product quality to ontologies and has been successfully used for evaluating the quality of ontologies. Methods In this paper, we evaluate the effect of training in ontology construction based on the GoodOD guideline within the OQuaRE quality evaluation framework and compare the results with those obtained for the previous studies based on the same data. Results Our results show a significant effect of the GoodOD training over developed ontologies by topics: (a) a highly significant effect was detected in three topics from the analysis of the ontologies of untrained and trained students; (b) both positive and negative training effects with respect to the gold standard were found for five topics. Conclusion The GoodOD guideline had a significant effect over the quality of the ontologies developed. Our results show that GoodOD ontologies can be effectively evaluated using OQuaRE and that OQuaRE is able to provide additional useful information about the quality of the GoodOD ontologies. PMID:25148262

Evaluating the Good Ontology Design Guideline (GoodOD) with the ontology quality requirements and evaluation method and metrics (OQuaRE).

PubMed

Duque-Ramos, Astrid; Boeker, Martin; Jansen, Ludger; Schulz, Stefan; Iniesta, Miguela; Fernández-Breis, Jesualdo Tomás

2014-01-01

To (1) evaluate the GoodOD guideline for ontology development by applying the OQuaRE evaluation method and metrics to the ontology artefacts that were produced by students in a randomized controlled trial, and (2) informally compare the OQuaRE evaluation method with gold standard and competency questions based evaluation methods, respectively. In the last decades many methods for ontology construction and ontology evaluation have been proposed. However, none of them has become a standard and there is no empirical evidence of comparative evaluation of such methods. This paper brings together GoodOD and OQuaRE. GoodOD is a guideline for developing robust ontologies. It was previously evaluated in a randomized controlled trial employing metrics based on gold standard ontologies and competency questions as outcome parameters. OQuaRE is a method for ontology quality evaluation which adapts the SQuaRE standard for software product quality to ontologies and has been successfully used for evaluating the quality of ontologies. In this paper, we evaluate the effect of training in ontology construction based on the GoodOD guideline within the OQuaRE quality evaluation framework and compare the results with those obtained for the previous studies based on the same data. Our results show a significant effect of the GoodOD training over developed ontologies by topics: (a) a highly significant effect was detected in three topics from the analysis of the ontologies of untrained and trained students; (b) both positive and negative training effects with respect to the gold standard were found for five topics. The GoodOD guideline had a significant effect over the quality of the ontologies developed. Our results show that GoodOD ontologies can be effectively evaluated using OQuaRE and that OQuaRE is able to provide additional useful information about the quality of the GoodOD ontologies.

Incidence rates of occupational diseases in the Dutch construction sector, 2010-2014.

PubMed

van der Molen, Henk F; de Vries, Sanne C; Stocks, S Jill; Warning, Jan; Frings-Dresen, Monique H W

2016-05-01

To estimate incidence and trends in incidence of occupational diseases (ODs) in the Dutch construction sector. In a dynamic prospective cohort over a 5-year period (2010-2014), ODs assessed by occupational physicians (OPs) participating in a voluntary construction workers health surveillance (WHS) were reported to the Netherlands Centre for Occupational Diseases (NCOD). ODs were defined as a disease with a specific clinical diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases) that was predominantly caused by work-related factors as assessed by an OP. Annual incidences were determined for the total number of ODs and six frequently occurring OD groups. Trends in incidence were estimated using a multilevel negative binominal regression model. In 2014 the incidence of all OD was 12 964 per 100 000 workers and there was no significant change in incidence between 2010 and 2014 (3%; 95% CI -2% to +9%). Hearing loss (8125 per 100 000 workers) and musculoskeletal disorders (2081 per 100 000 workers) were the most frequently occurring ODs. Noise-induced hearing loss (+7%; 95% CI 1% to 13%) and contact dermatitis (+19%; 95% CI 6% to 33%) showed increasing trends. There was no statistically significant change in the incidence of low back pain, arthrosis, repetitive strain injuries, distress/burnout and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma. In total, 13% of workers participating in WHS in the Dutch construction industry during 2014 had an OD diagnosed and reported by an OP. Over a 5-year period the annual incidence of reported ODs showed a statistically non-significant increase. Incidences in noise-induced hearing loss and contact dermatitis showed statistically significant increasing trends, 7% and 19%, respectively. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Activity-Based Protein Profiling of Ammonia Monooxygenase in Nitrosomonas europaea

PubMed Central

Bennett, Kristen; Sadler, Natalie C.; Wright, Aaron T.; Yeager, Chris

2016-01-01

Nitrosomonas europaea is an aerobic nitrifying bacterium that oxidizes ammonia (NH3) to nitrite (NO2−) through the sequential activities of ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) and hydroxylamine dehydrogenase (HAO). Many alkynes are mechanism-based inactivators of AMO, and here we describe an activity-based protein profiling method for this enzyme using 1,7-octadiyne (17OD) as a probe. Inactivation of NH4+-dependent O2 uptake by N. europaea by 17OD was time- and concentration-dependent. The effects of 17OD were specific for ammonia-oxidizing activity, and de novo protein synthesis was required to reestablish this activity after cells were exposed to 17OD. Cells were reacted with Alexa Fluor 647 azide using a copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) (click) reaction, solubilized, and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and infrared (IR) scanning. A fluorescent 28-kDa polypeptide was observed for cells previously exposed to 17OD but not for cells treated with either allylthiourea or acetylene prior to exposure to 17OD or for cells not previously exposed to 17OD. The fluorescent polypeptide was membrane associated and aggregated when heated with β-mercaptoethanol and SDS. The fluorescent polypeptide was also detected in cells pretreated with other diynes, but not in cells pretreated with structural homologs containing a single ethynyl functional group. The membrane fraction from 17OD-treated cells was conjugated with biotin-azide and solubilized in SDS. Streptavidin affinity-purified polypeptides were on-bead trypsin-digested, and amino acid sequences of the peptide fragments were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. Peptide fragments from AmoA were the predominant peptides detected in 17OD-treated samples. In-gel digestion and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–tandem time of flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) analyses also confirmed that the fluorescent 28-kDa polypeptide was AmoA. PMID:26826234

Pediatric PRK (PhotoRefractive Keratectomy) with Mitomycin C (MCC) for Persistent Anisometropic Amblyopia. A Case Report.

PubMed

Crawford, Courtney M; Frazier, Travis C; Torres, Mark F; Arnold, Robert W; Mazzoli, Robert A; Raymond, William R

2012-01-01

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with Mitomycin C (MMC) for the treatment of severe pediatric anisometropia and amblyopia resistant to more conservative treatment modalities. A 3 year-old-child, who at 18 months old underwent unilateral diode laser treatment for threshold ROP, developed 11 diopters of anisometropic myopia and secondary dense amblyopia of the Right Eye. Only after all conservative treatment options failed was he treated with PRK and MMC. Principal outcome measures included cycloplegic refraction, the amount of refractive correction, degree of corneal haze and change in visual acuity. On presentation: BCVA: 20/CF OD; 20/30 OS. CRNS: -11.50 diopters sphere OD; -0.50 diopters sphere OS. Unilateral PRK followed by application of MMC (0.2 mg/ml) for 1 min was performed under general anesthesia. Three-month postoperative findings include: VA: 20/30 OD; 20/25 OS. CRNS: +0.25 diopters sphere OD. At one year, the BCVA remained equal at the 20/30 level despite mild myopic regression OD. CRNS OD at one year was -1.25 +050 x 116. No corneal haze was appreciated. In this child, treatment with PRK and MMC safely reduced the anisometropia thus facilitating his visual rehabilitation. While encouraging, further study is required to verify the longer term results of this single case. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with Mitomycin C (MMC) for the treatment of severe pediatric anisometropia and amblyopia resistant to more conservative treatment modalities. A 3 year-old-child, who at 18 months old underwent unilateral diode laser treatment for threshold ROP, developed 11 diopters of anisometropic myopia and secondary dense amblyopia of the Right Eye. Only after all conservative treatment options failed was he treated with PRK and MMC. Principal outcome measures included cycloplegic refraction, the amount of refractive correction, degree of corneal haze and change in visual acuity. On presentation: BCVA: 20/CF OD; 20/30 OS. CRNS: -11.50 diopters sphere OD; -0.50 diopters sphere OS. Unilateral PRK followed by application of MMC (0.2 mg/ml) for 1 min was performed under general anesthesia. Three-month postoperative findings include: VA: 20/30 OD; 20/25 OS. CRNS: +0.25 diopters sphere OD. At one year, the BCVA remained equal at the 20/30 level despite mild myopic regression OD. CRNS OD at one year was -1.25 +050 x 116. No corneal haze was appreciated. In this child, treatment with PRK and MMC safely reduced the anisometropia thus facilitating his visual rehabilitation. While encouraging, further study is required to verify the longer term results of this single case.

Latent Profiles of Externalizing Psychopathology and Their Relation to Children's Aggression and Social Behavior.

PubMed

Andrade, Brendan F; Wade, Mark

2016-01-01

This study identified profiles of clinic-referred children with disruptive behavior and determined the association between identified profiles and children's aggression, peer problems, and prosocial skills. Parents and teachers of 208 children (163 boys) aged 6 to 12 years (Mage = 8.80, SD = 1.75) completed measures to assess children's callous-unemotional (CU) traits, inattentive-impulsive-overactive (IO) and oppositional-defiant (OD) behavior, aggression, and social behaviors. Latent class analysis was used to identify the profiles, and the pseudoclass draw method to test the equality of means for each of the aggression and social behavioral outcomes across the latent classes. Five profiles were identified: (1) Low (35.6% of children), with relatively low levels of CU traits and IO and OD behavior; (2) Low-Moderate (30.8%), with low-moderate levels of CU traits, low IO and moderate OD behavior; (3) Moderate (21.6%), with moderate levels of CU traits and IO and moderate-high OD behavior; (4) Moderate-High (7.2%), with moderate-high levels of CU traits, high IO and moderate-high OD behavior; and (5) High (4.8%), with high levels of CU traits, IO and OD behavior. Children categorized into profiles showed important differences in level of aggression and social behavior. The overlap between CU traits, IO, and OD behavior add to understanding of child psychopathology that influences behavior and clinical outcomes.

Effect of microwave drying and oven drying on the water activity, color, phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activity of coconut husk (Cocos nucifera L.).

PubMed

Valadez-Carmona, Lourdes; Cortez-García, Rosa María; Plazola-Jacinto, Carla Patricia; Necoechea-Mondragón, Hugo; Ortiz-Moreno, Alicia

2016-09-01

The coconut ( Cocos nucifera L.) husk is basically composed by fiber and pith material and remained under-utilized. This is an important source of phenolic compounds that could be used as functional ingredients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of: oven-drying (OD) and microwave drying (MD), on the water activity, color, phenolic compound content and antioxidant activity of coconut husk. The OD was performed at 60 °C for 12 h and MD was performed at 900 W for 10 min. The total phenolic content (TPC) in fresh coconut husk was 64.2 mg GAE/g dry wt and significant higher than observed after OD and MD of 35.8 and 45.5 mg GAE/g dry wt, respectively. Ten phenols were identified in fresh and dehydrated coconut husks. The husk MD showed an increase in the content of gallic, 4-hydroxybenzoic, ferulic and syringic acids and epicatechin compared with the fresh; while coconut husk OD and MD, showed a decrease in the content of vanillic acid, vanillin, catequin and kaempferol. The antioxidant activity decreased after both OD and MD. However, MD resulted in a better antioxidant activity in husk than OD. MD of husk resulted into better retention of preserved color, TPC and TFC than OD.

Survey Feedback as an Organization Development Strategy in a Public School District.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rosenbach, William E.; And Others

1983-01-01

Survey feedback can be applied as an organization development (OD) technique in public school systems. The technique, if suited to goals of an OD effort, can result in multiple positive outcomes. In addition to improvements characteristic of OD, the results of survey feedback can be utilized in making strategic decisions. (Author/MH)

The importance of transmission time in HIV infections and an epidemiological prospective follow-up study for 1 year in the Marmara Region of Turkey.

PubMed

Celik, Deniz Gozde; Yuksel, Pelin; Aslan, Mustafa; Saribas, Suat; Baltali, Nezihe Dirik; Abdelkareem, Ali; Ziver, Tevhide; Nazlican, Ozcan; Gencer, Serap; Celikkol, Erdoğan; Bahar, Hrisi; Kocazeybek, Bekir

2012-08-01

It is important to detect recent and new HIV/1 infections and to take preventative measures in order to prevent rapid disease progression in AIDS and to decrease the incidence of infection. We aimed to detect long standing or recent HIV infections by determining transmission times for the cases in which first-time HIV/1 seropositivity were detected. The serum samples of 323 cases which were found to be seropositive by ELISA and Western-blotting were included in this study. The discrimination between long-term and recent HIV/1 infection was made by determining transmission-time with the Aware BED-EIA, HIV-1 incidence test (IgG capture HIV-EIA) tests. Ninety-six healthy blood donors who did not have a positive anti-HIV test and a chronic infectious disease for at least 1 year were included in this study as a negative healthy control group. In the discrimination of long-term and recent HIV/1 infections, only in vitro ODn values were used. The cases with normalized optical density (OD) (OD(specimen)/OD(calibrator))<0.8 by commercial kit were accepted as recent HIV infection (155 days history or seroconversion less than 6 months). The cases with ODn >1.2 were accepted as long-term HIV/1 infections (more than 155 days history or more than 6 months). The cases with ODn between 0.8 and 1.2 were accepted as "additional tests needed" cases. We detected recent HIV/1 infections (<6 months) in 60 (18.5%) out of 323 cases and long-term HIV/1 infections (>6 months) in 263 (81.5%) out of 323 cases. The most frequently encountered transmission route in long-term and recent HIV/1 infections was heterosexual sexual intercourse as 54 (50%) and 257 (97%), respectively. 63.3% of newly infected patients were married females and 65.3% of recently infected patients were males. In conclusion, the detection of the high ratio of long-term HIV/1 infection cases (81.5%) compared to recent infections (18.5%) suggested to us, that the long standing cases may have some activities related with transmission of HIV/1 in the past. The detection of higher HIV/1-infections in individuals which had heterosexual sex and also in married males suggested that this situation poses a very great threat for the health of society. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of processing time delay on the dose response of Kodak EDR2 film.

PubMed

Childress, Nathan L; Rosen, Isaac I

2004-08-01

Kodak EDR2 film is a widely used two-dimensional dosimeter for intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) measurements. Our clinical use of EDR2 film for IMRT verifications revealed variations and uncertainties in dose response that were larger than expected, given that we perform film calibrations for every experimental measurement. We found that the length of time between film exposure and processing can affect the absolute dose response of EDR2 film by as much as 4%-6%. EDR2 films were exposed to 300 cGy using 6 and 18 MV 10 x 10 cm2 fields and then processed after time delays ranging from 2 min to 24 h. An ion chamber measured the relative dose for these film exposures. The ratio of optical density (OD) to dose stabilized after 3 h. Compared to its stable value, the film response was 4%-6% lower at 2 min and 1% lower at 1 h. The results of the 4 min and 1 h processing time delays were verified with a total of four different EDR2 film batches. The OD/dose response for XV2 films was consistent for time periods of 4 min and 1 h between exposure and processing. To investigate possible interactions of the processing time delay effect with dose, single EDR2 films were irradiated to eight different dose levels between 45 and 330 cGy using smaller 3 x 3 cm2 areas. These films were processed after time delays of 1, 3, and 6 h, using 6 and 18 MV photon qualities. The results at all dose levels were consistent, indicating that there is no change in the processing time delay effect for different doses. The difference in the time delay effect between the 6 and 18 MV measurements was negligible for all experiments. To rule out bias in selecting film regions for OD measurement, we compared the use of a specialized algorithm that systematically determines regions of interest inside the 10 x 10 cm2 exposure areas to manually selected regions of interest. There was a maximum difference of only 0.07% between the manually and automatically selected regions, indicating that the use of a systematic algorithm to determine regions of interest in large and fairly uniform areas is not necessary. Based on these results, we recommend a minimum time of 1 h between exposure and processing for all EDR2 film measurements.

European Society for Swallowing Disorders - European Union Geriatric Medicine Society white paper: oropharyngeal dysphagia as a geriatric syndrome.

PubMed

Baijens, Laura Wj; Clavé, Pere; Cras, Patrick; Ekberg, Olle; Forster, Alexandre; Kolb, Gerald F; Leners, Jean-Claude; Masiero, Stefano; Mateos-Nozal, Jesús; Ortega, Omar; Smithard, David G; Speyer, Renée; Walshe, Margaret

2016-01-01

This position document has been developed by the Dysphagia Working Group, a committee of members from the European Society for Swallowing Disorders and the European Union Geriatric Medicine Society, and invited experts. It consists of 12 sections that cover all aspects of clinical management of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) related to geriatric medicine and discusses prevalence, quality of life, and legal and ethical issues, as well as health economics and social burden. OD constitutes impaired or uncomfortable transit of food or liquids from the oral cavity to the esophagus, and it is included in the World Health Organization's classification of diseases. It can cause severe complications such as malnutrition, dehydration, respiratory infections, aspiration pneumonia, and increased readmissions, institutionalization, and morbimortality. OD is a prevalent and serious problem among all phenotypes of older patients as oropharyngeal swallow response is impaired in older people and can cause aspiration. Despite its prevalence and severity, OD is still underdiagnosed and untreated in many medical centers. There are several validated clinical and instrumental methods (videofluoroscopy and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing) to diagnose OD, and treatment is mainly based on compensatory measures, although new treatments to stimulate the oropharyngeal swallow response are under research. OD matches the definition of a geriatric syndrome as it is highly prevalent among older people, is caused by multiple factors, is associated with several comorbidities and poor prognosis, and needs a multidimensional approach to be treated. OD should be given more importance and attention and thus be included in all standard screening protocols, treated, and regularly monitored to prevent its main complications. More research is needed to develop and standardize new treatments and management protocols for older patients with OD, which is a challenging mission for our societies.

C-C1-04: How to Win Friends and Influence People with the SAS Output Delivery System

PubMed Central

Tolbert, William

2010-01-01

Background and Aims: Long-time SAS users remember the days when SAS output was embarrassingly ugly. Version 7 saw the introduction of the Output Delivery System (ODS). ODS has matured into a very capable subsystem that gives users powerful reporting options. This presentation will highlight useful features and outline a macro-based system for handling multiple ODS destinations simultaneously. Nowadays there is no excuse for ugly SAS output! When building reports, SAS users should think about the needs of those using the reports. Some people just want to review frequency tables, and are happy to do so on a monitor. Others want to be able to print data for review in a meeting. And, there are always those that want to work with the data in a spreadsheet. Consider the ideal formats for each of the users outlined above. For the casual data browser, HTML output is ideal. For printing, PDF is preferred. And for the additional analysis, Excel is a popular option. With ODS, we can meet all of these needs. Methods: Because ODS permits opening multiple output destinations simultaneously, a single procedure can be used to generate data in HTML, PDF, and Excel at once. The presentation will demonstrate the following: o- basic ODS syntax for HTML, PDF, and Excel output o- custom HTML table of contents o- using the ExcelXP tagset for multi-tab spreadsheets o- a custom macro for managing multiple ODS destinations simultaneously o- simple PROC Template code for easy customization o- techniques for consistent output from multiple platforms. Results: The techniques outlined here have been well-received in a variety of business reporting environments. Conclusions: The SAS ODS provides a wide array of reporting options. Don’t limit yourself to just one type of output.

European Society for Swallowing Disorders – European Union Geriatric Medicine Society white paper: oropharyngeal dysphagia as a geriatric syndrome

PubMed Central

Baijens, Laura WJ; Clavé, Pere; Cras, Patrick; Ekberg, Olle; Forster, Alexandre; Kolb, Gerald F; Leners, Jean-Claude; Masiero, Stefano; Mateos-Nozal, Jesús; Ortega, Omar; Smithard, David G; Speyer, Renée; Walshe, Margaret

2016-01-01

This position document has been developed by the Dysphagia Working Group, a committee of members from the European Society for Swallowing Disorders and the European Union Geriatric Medicine Society, and invited experts. It consists of 12 sections that cover all aspects of clinical management of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) related to geriatric medicine and discusses prevalence, quality of life, and legal and ethical issues, as well as health economics and social burden. OD constitutes impaired or uncomfortable transit of food or liquids from the oral cavity to the esophagus, and it is included in the World Health Organization’s classification of diseases. It can cause severe complications such as malnutrition, dehydration, respiratory infections, aspiration pneumonia, and increased readmissions, institutionalization, and morbimortality. OD is a prevalent and serious problem among all phenotypes of older patients as oropharyngeal swallow response is impaired in older people and can cause aspiration. Despite its prevalence and severity, OD is still underdiagnosed and untreated in many medical centers. There are several validated clinical and instrumental methods (videofluoroscopy and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing) to diagnose OD, and treatment is mainly based on compensatory measures, although new treatments to stimulate the oropharyngeal swallow response are under research. OD matches the definition of a geriatric syndrome as it is highly prevalent among older people, is caused by multiple factors, is associated with several comorbidities and poor prognosis, and needs a multidimensional approach to be treated. OD should be given more importance and attention and thus be included in all standard screening protocols, treated, and regularly monitored to prevent its main complications. More research is needed to develop and standardize new treatments and management protocols for older patients with OD, which is a challenging mission for our societies. PMID:27785002

Improved cortisol exposure-time profile and outcome in patients with adrenal insufficiency: a prospective randomized trial of a novel hydrocortisone dual-release formulation.

PubMed

Johannsson, G; Nilsson, A G; Bergthorsdottir, R; Burman, P; Dahlqvist, P; Ekman, B; Engström, B E; Olsson, T; Ragnarsson, O; Ryberg, M; Wahlberg, J; Biller, B M K; Monson, J P; Stewart, P M; Lennernäs, H; Skrtic, S

2012-02-01

Patients with treated adrenal insufficiency (AI) have increased morbidity and mortality rate. Our goal was to improve outcome by developing a once-daily (OD) oral hydrocortisone dual-release tablet with a more physiological exposure-time cortisol profile. The aim was to compare pharmacokinetics and metabolic outcome between OD and the same daily dose of thrice-daily (TID) dose of conventional hydrocortisone tablets. We conducted an open, randomized, two-period, 12-wk crossover multicenter trial with a 24-wk extension at five university hospital centers. The trial enrolled 64 adults with primary AI; 11 had concomitant diabetes mellitus (DM). The same daily dose of hydrocortisone was administered as OD dual-release or TID. We evaluated cortisol pharmacokinetics. Compared with conventional TID, OD provided a sustained serum cortisol profile 0-4 h after the morning intake and reduced the late afternoon and the 24-h cortisol exposure. The mean weight (difference = -0.7 kg, P = 0.005), systolic blood pressure (difference = -5.5 mm Hg, P = 0.0001) and diastolic blood pressure (difference: -2.3 mm Hg; P = 0.03), and glycated hemoglobin (absolute difference = -0.1%, P = 0.0006) were all reduced after OD compared with TID at 12 wk. Compared with TID, a reduction in glycated hemoglobin by 0.6% was observed in patients with concomitant DM during OD (P = 0.004). The OD dual-release tablet provided a more circadian-based serum cortisol profile. Reduced body weight, reduced blood pressure, and improved glucose metabolism were observed during OD treatment. In particular, glucose metabolism improved in patients with concomitant DM.

A pilot study on disturbed gastric myoelectric activity in obstructed defecation syndrome.

PubMed

Farid, Mohamed; Emile, Sameh Hany; Haleem, Magdy; El-Hak, Nabil Gad

2018-07-01

Electrogastrography (EGG) is a noninvasive technique for recording gastric myoelectric activity. The aim of this study was to measure and record gastric myoelectric activity in patients with obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) and to compare their results with those of normal individuals. Forty-two patients (22 male) with ODS and a mean age of 41.02 y were enrolled in this prospective study after thorough clinical and physiologic assessment. Eleven normal subjects (six female) with a mean age of 39.2 ± 8.4 y were assigned to the control group. Both patients and controls were subjected to surface EGG in fasting and postprandial states. Data were recorded and analyzed via a computer system to reveal the EGG pattern in both groups. Abnormalities in the EGG were found in 24 (57.1%) of the 42 patients with ODS. EGG in ODS patients showed alterations in the fasting state in the form of a significant decrease of the normal gastric slow wave (P = 0.03) and a nonsignificant increase in gastric dysrhythmias. The EGG alterations of ODS patients were significantly improved in the postprandial state as the normal gastric slow waves significantly (P = 0.006) increased and the gastric bradycardia declined significantly (P = 0.02). No significant differences were observed in the power distribution between the ODS patients and the healthy controls. Patients with ODS showed an altered EGG pattern compared with that of healthy control subjects. The alterations in ODS patients were more clearly observed during the fasting state and improved significantly after eating. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

HPLC separation of triacylglycerol positional isomers on a polymeric ODS column.

PubMed

Kuroda, Ikuma; Nagai, Toshiharu; Mizobe, Hoyo; Yoshimura, Nobuhito; Gotoh, Naohiro; Wada, Shun

2008-07-01

A polymeric ODS column was applied to the resolution of triacylglycerol positional isomers (TAG-PI), i.e. 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoyl-glycerol (OPO) and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-palmitoyl-rac-glycerol (OOP), with a recycle HPLC system. To investigate the ODS column species and the column temperatures for the resolution of a TAG-PI pair, a mixture of OPO and OOP was subjected to an HPLC system equipped with a non-endcapped polymeric, endcapped monomeric, endcapped intermediate, or non-endcapped monomeric ODS column at three different column temperatures (40, 25, or 10 degrees C). Only the non-endcapped polymeric ODS column achieved the separation of OPO and OOP, and the lowest column temperature (10 degrees C) showed the best resolution for them. The other pair of TAG-PI, a mixture of 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycerol (POP) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-oleoyl-rac-glycerol (PPO) was also subjected to the system equipped with a non-endcapped polymeric or monomeric ODS column at five different column temperatures (40, 32, 25, 17, and 10 degrees C). Thus, POP and PPO were also separated on only the non-endcapped polymeric ODS column at 25 degrees C. However, no clear peak appeared at 10 degrees C. These results would indicate that the polymeric ODS stationary phase has an ability to recognize the structural differences between TAG-PI pairs. Also, the column temperature is a very important factor for separating the TAG-PI pair, and the optimal temperature would relate to the solubility of TAG-PI in the mobile phase. Furthermore, the recycle HPLC system provided measurements for the separation and analysis of TAG-PI pairs.

Distinction of synthetic dl-α-tocopherol from natural vitamin E (d-α-tocopherol) by reversed-phase liquid chromatography. Enhanced selectivity of a polymeric C18 stationary phase at low temperature and/or at high pressure.

PubMed

Yui, Yuko; Miyazaki, Shota; Ma, Yan; Ohira, Masayoshi; Fiehn, Oliver; Ikegami, Tohru; McCalley, David V; Tanaka, Nobuo

2016-06-10

Separation of diastereomers of dl-α-tocopherol was studied by reversed-phase liquid chromatography using three types of stationary phases, polymeric ODS, polymeric C30, and monomeric ODS. Polymeric ODS stationary phase (Inertsil ODS-P, 3mmID, 20cm) was effective for the separation of the isomers created by the presence of three chiral centers on the alkyl chain of synthetic dl-α-tocopherol. Considerable improvement of the separation of isomers was observed on ODS-P phase at high pressure and at low temperature. Complete separation of four pairs of diastereomers was achieved at 12.0°C, 536bar, while three peaks were observed when the separation was carried out either at 12.0°C at low pressure or at 20°C at 488bar. Higher temperature (30.0°C) with the ODS-P phase resulted in only partial separation of the diastereomers even at high pressure. Only slight resolution was observed for the mixture of diastereomers with the C30 stationary phase (Inertsil C30) at 12.0°C and 441bar, although the stationary phase afforded greater resolution for β- and γ-tocopherol than ODS-P. A monomeric C18 stationary phase did not show any separation at 12.0°C and 463bar. The results suggest that the binding site of the polymeric ODS-P phase is selective for flexible alkyl chains that provided the longest retention for the natural form, (R,R,R) form, and the enantiomer, (S,S,S) form, of dl-α-tocopherol. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

The role of high airway pressure and dynamic strain on ventilator-induced lung injury in a heterogeneous acute lung injury model.

PubMed

Jain, Sumeet V; Kollisch-Singule, Michaela; Satalin, Joshua; Searles, Quinn; Dombert, Luke; Abdel-Razek, Osama; Yepuri, Natesh; Leonard, Antony; Gruessner, Angelika; Andrews, Penny; Fazal, Fabeha; Meng, Qinghe; Wang, Guirong; Gatto, Louis A; Habashi, Nader M; Nieman, Gary F

2017-12-01

Acute respiratory distress syndrome causes a heterogeneous lung injury with normal and acutely injured lung tissue in the same lung. Improperly adjusted mechanical ventilation can exacerbate ARDS causing a secondary ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). We hypothesized that a peak airway pressure of 40 cmH 2 O (static strain) alone would not cause additional injury in either the normal or acutely injured lung tissue unless combined with high tidal volume (dynamic strain). Pigs were anesthetized, and heterogeneous acute lung injury (ALI) was created by Tween instillation via a bronchoscope to both diaphragmatic lung lobes. Tissue in all other lobes was normal. Airway pressure release ventilation was used to precisely regulate time and pressure at both inspiration and expiration. Animals were separated into two groups: (1) over-distension + high dynamic strain (OD + H DS , n = 6) and (2) over-distension + low dynamic strain (OD + L DS , n = 6). OD was caused by setting the inspiratory pressure at 40 cmH 2 O and dynamic strain was modified by changing the expiratory duration, which varied the tidal volume. Animals were ventilated for 6 h recording hemodynamics, lung function, and inflammatory mediators followed by an extensive necropsy. In normal tissue (N T ), OD + L DS caused minimal histologic damage and a significant reduction in BALF total protein (p < 0.05) and MMP-9 activity (p < 0.05), as compared with OD + H DS . In acutely injured tissue (ALI T ), OD + L DS resulted in reduced histologic injury and pulmonary edema (p < 0.05), as compared with OD + H DS . Both N T and ALI T are resistant to VILI caused by OD alone, but when combined with a H DS , significant tissue injury develops.

Meteoroid/orbital debris impact damage predictions for the Russian space station MIR

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Christiansen, E. L.; Hyde, J. L.; Lear, D.

1997-01-01

Components of the Mir space station have been exposed to the meteoroid/orbital debris (M/OD) environment for up to 11 years. During this period, no M/OD impact perforation of the pressure shell of the manned modules were reported. The NASA standard M/OD analysis code BUMPER was used to predict the probability of M/OD impact damage to various components of Mir. The analysis indicates a 1 in 2.2 chance that a M/OD impact would have caused a penetration resulting in a pressure leak of the Mir modules since its launch up to the February 1997. For the next five years, the estimated odds become 1 in 3. On an annual basis, penetration risks are 60 percent higher, on the average, in the next five years due to the larger size of Mir and the growth in the orbital debris population.

Development of Advanced Ods Ferritic Steels for Fast Reactor Fuel Cladding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ukai, S.; Oono, N.; Ohtsuka, S.; Kaito, T.

Recent progress of the 9CrODS steel development is presented focusing on their microstructure control to improve sufficient high-temperature strength as well as cladding manufacturing capability. The martensitic 9CrODS steel is primarily candidate cladding materials for the Generation IV fast reactor fuel. They are the attractive composite-like materials consisting of the hard residual ferrite and soft tempered martensite, which are able to be easily controlled by α-γ phase transformation. The residual ferrite containing extremely nanosized oxide particles leads to significantly improved creep rupture strength in 9CrODS cladding. The creep strength stability at extended time of 60,000 h at 700 ºC is ascribed to the stable nanosized oxide particles. It was also reviewed that 9CrODS steel has well irradiation stability and fuel pin irradiation test was conducted up to 12 at% burnup and 51 dpa at the cladding temperature of 700ºC.

A flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence study of the formation of O(D-1) in the photolysis of water and reaction of O(D-1) with H2, Ar and He

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stief, L. J.; Payne, W. A.; Klemm, R. B.

1974-01-01

The relative importance of two primary processes in the photolyis of water: (1) H2O + h (nu) yields H + OH, and (2) H2O + h (nu) yields H2 + OD-1 were determined in a direct manner by time resolved detection (via resonance fluorescence) of H and O formed in processes 1 and 2 respectively. The initially formed OD-1 was deactivated to ground state OP-3 prior to detection via resonance fluorescence. The relative quantum yields for processes 1 and 2 are 0.89 and 0.11 for the wavelength interval 105 to 145nm and = to or greater than 0.99, and = to or less than 0.01 for the wavelength interval 145 to 185nm. Rate constants at 300 K for the reactions OD-1 + H2, + Ar, and + He are presented.

Driving technology for improving motion quality of active-matrix organic light-emitting diode display

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jongbin; Kim, Minkoo; Kim, Jong-Man; Kim, Seung-Ryeol; Lee, Seung-Woo

2014-09-01

This paper reports transient response characteristics of active-matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) displays for mobile applications. This work reports that the rising responses look like saw-tooth waveform and are not always faster than those of liquid crystal displays. Thus, a driving technology is proposed to improve the rising transient responses of AMOLED based on the overdrive (OD) technology. We modified the OD technology by combining it with a dithering method because the conventional OD method cannot successfully enhance all the rising responses. Our method can improve all the transitions of AMOLED without modifying the conventional gamma architecture of drivers. A new artifact is found when OD is applied to certain transitions. We propose an optimum OD selection method to mitigate the artifact. The implementation results show the proposed technology can successfully improve motion quality of scrolling texts as well as moving pictures in AMOLED displays.

Postantibiotic effect and postantibiotic sub-minimum inhibitory concentration effect of valnemulin against Staphylococcus aureus isolates from swine and chickens.

PubMed

Zhao, D H; Yu, Y; Zhou, Y F; Shi, W; Deng, H; Liu, Y H

2014-02-01

The postantibiotic effect (PAE) and postantibiotic sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) effect (PA-SME) of valnemulin against Staphylococcus aureus were investigated in vitro using a spectrophotometric technique and classic viable count method. A standard curve was constructed by regression analysis of the number of colonies and the corresponding optical density (OD) at 630 nm of the inoculum. After exposure to valnemulin at different concentrations for an hour, the antibiotic was removed by centrifuging and washing. The PA-SMEs were measured after initial exposure to valnemulin at 4 × the MIC, and then, valnemulin was added to reach corresponding desired concentrations in the resuspended culture. Samples were collected hourly until the culture became turbid. The results were calculated by converting the OD values into the counts of bacteria in accordance with the curve. The MIC of valnemulin against eight strains was identically 0.125 μg ml(-1) . The mean PAEs were 2.12 h (1 × MIC) and 5.06 h (4 × MIC), and the mean PA-SMEs were 6.85 h (0.1 × MIC), 9.12 h (0.2 × MIC) and 10.8 h (0.3 × MIC). The results showed that the strains with identical MICs exhibited different PAEs and PA-SMEs. Valnemulin produced prolonged PAE and PA-SME periods for Staph. aureus, supporting a longer dosing interval while formulating a daily administration dosage. In this study, valnemulin demonstrated prolonged postantibiotic effects and postantibiotic sub-MIC effects on strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The strains with identical MICs of valnemulin exhibited different PAEs and PA-SMEs. Staphylococcus aureus isolated from different species has little impact on the postantibiotic effect of valnemulin. The result suggests a longer dosing interval while formulating a daily administration dosage, and it may play a valuable role of valnemulin in treating Staph. aureus infections in animals. © 2013 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Market potential of mesquite as fuel

Treesearch

A.T. Wiley; F.G. Manwiller

1976-01-01

The heat of combustion of mesquite heartwood, sapwood, bark, and a mixture of stems and leaves was tested. The values averaged 8,657, 8,021, 7,836, and 8,123 Btu per OD pound, respectively. If an industrial plant requiring 50,000 pounds of steam per hour were located in an area averaging 25 green tons of mesquite fiber per acre, a harvest radius of about 3 miles would...

Market potential of mesquite as fuel

Treesearch

A.T. Wiley; F.G. Manwiller

1976-01-01

The heat combustion of mesquite heartwood, aspwood, bark, and a mixture of stems and leaves was tested. The values averaged 8,657, 8,021, 7,836, and 8,123 Btu per OD pound, respectively. If an industrial plant requiring 50,000 pounds of steam per hour were located in an area averaging 25 green tons of mesquite fiber per acre, a harvest radius of about 3 miles would be...

Value of Antiquity in the Restoration Process of the Art Nouveau Villa Duelfer in Barlinek/ Wartość Dawności W Procesie Renowacji Secesyjnej Willi Architekta W Barlinku

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rutyna, Halina

2015-06-01

The value assigned to time-worn objects and buildings seems crucial to a conservator's theoretical beliefs. The notion of antiquity is almost imprinted in the structure of the building itself, as well as in the concept of the time that has lapsed since the erection of the building. The head of the restoration project of the 1908 art nouveau Villa Duelfer, in Barlinek, which gradually fell into ruin after the war, presents how, in practice, this idea of antiquity was respected in that project. On the hundredth anniversary of the construction of the villa, the building, commonly referred to as the `Pałacyk Cebulowy`, has lived to see its revival by sustaining its primary residential function, its architectural form and its historic values, in an urban context. Kluczowa dla poglądów konserwatora zabytków architektury jawi się idea wartości dawności. Jest ona niejako odciśnięta w strukturze budowli i w wyobrażeniu o czasie, jaki upłynął od chwili powstania. Dobrym przykładem ilustrującym zagadnienie dawności zabytku jest ostatnia renowacja Willi Duelfera w Barlinku, wzniesionej w 1908 roku i potocznie zwanej "Pałacykiem Cebulowym". Po wojnie popadającej w ruinę, W 2008 roku w wyniku konsultacji z konserwatorem zabytków właściciel postanowił przywrócić jej symetrię i dobudować z lewej strony dodatkowe pomieszczenie. Podjęto także rozbudowę wilii od strony zachodniej poprzez dostawienie klatki schodowej i dodanie balkonu opartego na kolumnach na wzór elewacji wschodniej. Dokonano również renowacji zdobień elewacji i odtworzono brakujące elementy od frontu i z tyłu obiektu. Prace przebiegały w szybkim tempie i trwały zaledwie dwa lata, choć budynek był bardzo zniszczony.

Membrane-aerated microbioreactor for high-throughput bioprocessing.

PubMed

Zanzotto, Andrea; Szita, Nicolas; Boccazzi, Paolo; Lessard, Philip; Sinskey, Anthony J; Jensen, Klavs F

2004-07-20

A microbioreactor with a volume of microliters is fabricated out of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and glass. Aeration of microbial cultures is through a gas-permeable PDMS membrane. Sensors are integrated for on-line measurement of optical density (OD), dissolved oxygen (DO), and pH. All three parameter measurements are based on optical methods. Optical density is monitored via transmittance measurements through the well of the microbioreactor while dissolved oxygen and pH are measured using fluorescence lifetime-based sensors incorporated into the body of the microbioreactor. Bacterial fermentations carried out in the microbioreactor under well-defined conditions are compared to results obtained in a 500-mL bench-scale bioreactor. It is shown that the behavior of the bacteria in the microbioreactor is similar to that in the larger bioreactor. This similarity includes growth kinetics, dissolved oxygen profile within the vessel over time, pH profile over time, final number of cells, and cell morphology. Results from off-line analysis of the medium to examine organic acid production and substrate utilization are presented. By changing the gaseous environmental conditions, it is demonstrated that oxygen levels within the microbioreactor can be manipulated. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the sensitivity and reproducibility of the microbioreactor system are such that statistically significant differences in the time evolution of the OD, DO, and pH can be used to distinguish between different physiological states. Finally, modeling of the transient oxygen transfer within the microbioreactor based on observed and predicted growth kinetics is used to quantitatively characterize oxygen depletion in the system. Copyright 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Model Study To Assess Softwood Hemicellulose Hydrolysates as the Carbon Source for PHB Production in Paraburkholderia sacchari IPT 101.

PubMed

Dietrich, Karolin; Dumont, Marie-Josée; Schwinghamer, Timothy; Orsat, Valérie; Del Rio, Luis F

2018-01-08

Softwood hemicellulose hydrolysates are a cheap source of sugars that can be used as a feedstock to produce polyhydroxybutyrates (PHB), which are biobased and compostable bacterial polyesters. To assess the potential of the hemicellulosic sugars as a carbon source for PHB production, synthetic media containing softwood hemicellulose sugars (glucose, mannose, galactose, xylose, arabinose) and the potentially inhibitory lignocellulose degradation products (acetic acid, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural, and vanillin) were fermented with the model strain Paraburkholderia sacchari IPT 101. Relative to pure glucose, individual fermentation for 24 h with 20 g/L mannose or galactose exhibited maximum specific growth rates of 97% and 60%, respectively. On the other hand, with sugar mixtures of glucose, mannose, galactose, xylose, and arabinose, the strain converted all sugars simultaneously to reach a maximum PHB concentration of 5.72 g/L and 80.5% PHB after 51 h. The addition of the inhibitor mixture at the following concentration, sodium acetate (2.11 g/L), HMF (0.67 g/L), furfural (0.66 g/L), and vanillin (0.93 g/L), to the sugar mixture stopped the growth entirely within 24 h. Individually, the inhibitors either had no effect or only reduced growth. Moreover, it was found that a bacterial inoculum with high initial cell density (optical density, OD ≥ 5.6) could overcome the growth inhibition to yield an OD of 13 within 24 h. Therefore, softwood hemicellulose sugars are viable carbon sources for PHB production. Nevertheless, real softwood hemicellulose hydrolysates need detoxification or a high inoculum to overcome inhibitory effects and allow bacterial growth.

Non-porous membrane-assisted liquid-liquid extraction of UV filter compounds from water samples.

PubMed

Rodil, Rosario; Schrader, Steffi; Moeder, Monika

2009-06-12

A method for the determination of nine UV filter compounds [benzophenone-3 (BP-3), isoamyl methoxycinnamate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, octocrylene (OC), butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, ethylhexyl dimethyl p-aminobenzoate (OD-PABA), ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), ethylhexyl salicylate and homosalate] in water samples was developed and evaluated. The procedure includes non-porous membrane-assisted liquid-liquid extraction (MALLE) and LC-atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI)-MS/MS. Membrane bags made of different polymeric materials were examined to enable a fast and simple extraction of the target analytes. Among the polymeric materials tested, low- and high-density polyethylene membranes proved to be well suited to adsorb the analytes from water samples. Finally, 2 cm length tailor-made membrane bags were prepared from low-density polyethylene in order to accommodate 100 microL of propanol. The fully optimised protocol provides recoveries from 76% to 101% and limits of detection (LOD) between 0.4 ng L(-1) (OD-PABA) and 16 ng L(-1) (EHMC). The interday repeatability of the whole protocol was below 18%. The effective separation of matrix molecules was proved by only marginal matrix influence during the APPI-MS analysis since no ion suppression effects were observed. During the extraction step, the influence of the matrix was only significant when non-treated wastewater was analysed. The analysis of lake water indicated the presence of seven UV filter compounds included in this study at concentrations between 40 ng L(-1) (BP-3) and 4381 ng L(-1) (OC). In non-treated wastewater several UV filters were also detected at concentration levels as high as 5322 ng L(-1) (OC).

The effect of plum juice on the prevention of struvite calculus formation in vitro.

PubMed

Zhu, Huaijun; Sun, Xizhao; Lu, Jianlin; Wang, Meihua; Fang, Yun; Ge, Weihong

2012-10-01

To evaluate the effect of plum juice on struvite calculus formation in vitro and to explore the effect of plum juice on urease-producing bacteria and urease activity. The compliance of available drugs is low for struvite calculus after surgical treatment and functional food may represent a good choice as an alternative therapy. Antibacterial activity was assessed using a microdilution antimicrobial susceptibility test. Urease activity was determined by measuring ammonia production. Struvite crystals were induced by Proteus mirabilis in artificial urine with natural and pH-adjusted plum juice. The optical density (OD)(600) and pH of artificial urine were examined, as well the shape and weights of crystals. Natural plum juice showed an antibacterial effect on urease-producing bacteria, whereas the pH-adjusted juice did not. A concentration-dependent inhibition on urease activity was found for both natural and pH-adjusted juice. Natural plum juice at a high concentration of 0.5% showed an obvious inhibition on the increase of OD(600) and pH of the artificial urine, and crystal formation was prevented by up to or more than 8 h, depending on the concentration of juice. Crystal weight in the natural plum juice groups was decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The pH-adjusted plum juice did not show any effect on OD(600) and pH, although the presence of juice changed the crystal habit, indicating that the juice slowed the growth rate of crystals. Natural plum juice at high and moderate concentrations prevented the formation of P. mirabilis-induced crystals for up to 8 h in artificial urine. Although pH-adjusted and low-concentration natural juice did not prevent the occurrence of crystals, both types of juice slowed their growth rate.

Accuracy and efficiency of published film dosimetry techniques using a flat-bed scanner and EBT3 film.

PubMed

Spelleken, E; Crowe, S B; Sutherland, B; Challens, C; Kairn, T

2018-03-01

Gafchromic EBT3 film is widely used for patient specific quality assurance of complex treatment plans. Film dosimetry techniques commonly involve the use of transmission scanning to produce TIFF files, which are analysed using a non-linear calibration relationship between the dose and red channel net optical density (netOD). Numerous film calibration techniques featured in the literature have not been independently verified or evaluated. A range of previously published film dosimetry techniques were re-evaluated, to identify whether these methods produce better results than the commonly-used non-linear, netOD method. EBT3 film was irradiated at calibration doses between 0 and 4000 cGy and 25 pieces of film were irradiated at 200 cGy to evaluate uniformity. The film was scanned using two different scanners: The Epson Perfection V800 and the Epson Expression 10000XL. Calibration curves, uncertainty in the fit of the curve, overall uncertainty and uniformity were calculated following the methods described by the different calibration techniques. It was found that protocols based on a conventional film dosimetry technique produced results that were accurate and uniform to within 1%, while some of the unconventional techniques produced much higher uncertainties (> 25% for some techniques). Some of the uncommon methods produced reliable results when irradiated to the standard treatment doses (< 400 cGy), however none could be recommended as an efficient or accurate replacement for a common film analysis technique which uses transmission scanning, red colour channel analysis, netOD and a non-linear calibration curve for measuring doses up to 4000 cGy when using EBT3 film.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Richter, Christian; Pawelke, Joerg; Karsch, Leonhard

Purpose: The aim of this article is to investigate the energy dependence of the radiochromic film type, Gafchromic EBT-1, when scanned with a flatbed scanner for film readout. Methods: Dose response curves were determined for 12 different beam qualities ranging from a 10 kVp x-ray beam to a 15 MVp x-ray beam and include also two high energy electron beam qualities (6 and 18 MeV). The dose responses measured as net optical density (netOD) for the different beam qualities were normalized to the response of a reference beam quality (6 MVp). Results: A strong systematic energy dependence of the filmmore » response was found. The lower the effective beam energy, the less sensitive the EBT-1 films get. The maximum decrease in dose for the same film response between the 25 kVp and 6 MVp beam qualities was 44%. Additionally, a difference in energy dependence for different doses was discovered, meaning that higher doses show a smaller dependency on energy than lower doses. The maximum decrease in the normalized netOD was found to be 25% for a dose of 0.5 Gy relative to the normalized netOD for 10 Gy. Moreover, a scaling procedure is introduced, allowing the correction of the energy dependence for the investigated beam qualities and also for comparable x-ray beam qualities within the energy range studied. Conclusions: A strong energy dependence for EBT-1 radiochromic films was found. The films were readout with a flatbed scanner. If the effective beam energy is known, the energy dependence can be corrected with the introduced scaling procedure. Further investigation of the influence of the spectral band of the readout device on energy dependence is needed to understand the reason for the different energy dependences found in this and previous works.« less

Iron control of the Vibrio fischeri luminescence system in Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Dunlap, P V

1992-01-01

Iron influences luminescence in Vibrio fischeri; cultures iron-restricted for growth rate induce luminescence at a lower optical density (OD) than faster growing, iron-replete cultures. An iron restriction effect analogous to that in V. fischeri (slower growth, induction of luminescence at a lower OD) was established using Escherichia coli tonB and tonB+ strains transformed with recombinant plasmids containing the V. fischeri lux genes (luxR luxICDABEG) and grown in the presence and absence of the iron chelator ethylenediamine-di(o-hydroxylphenyl acetic acid) (EDDHA). This permitted the mechanism of iron control of luminescence to be examined. A fur mutant and its parent strain containing the intact lux genes exhibited no difference in the OD at induction of luminescence. Therefore, an iron-binding repressor protein apparently is not involved in iron control of luminescence. Furthermore, in the tonB and in tonB+ strains containing lux plasmids with Mu dI(lacZ) fusions in luxR, levels of beta-galactosidase activity (expression from the luxR promoter) and luciferase activity (expression from the luxICDABEG promoter) both increased by a similar amount (8-9 fold each for tonB, 2-3 fold each for tonB+) in the presence of EDDHA. Similar results were obtained with the luxR gene present on a complementing plasmid. The previously identified regulatory factors that control the lux system (autoinducer-LuxR protein, cyclic AMP-cAMP receptor protein) differentially control expression from the luxR and luxICDABEG promoters, increasing expression from one while decreasing expression from the other. Consequently, these results suggest that the effect of iron on the V. fischeri luminescence system is indirect.

Orbital Debris Modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liou, J. C.

2012-01-01

Presentation outlne: (1) The NASA Orbital Debris (OD) Engineering Model -- A mathematical model capable of predicting OD impact risks for the ISS and other critical space assets (2) The NASA OD Evolutionary Model -- A physical model capable of predicting future debris environment based on user-specified scenarios (3) The NASA Standard Satellite Breakup Model -- A model describing the outcome of a satellite breakup (explosion or collision)

Examining Subtypes of Behavior Problems among 3-Year-Old Children, Part I: Investigating Validity of Subtypes and Biological Risk-Factors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harvey, Elizabeth A.; Friedman-Weieneth, Julie L.; Goldstein, Lauren H.; Sherman, Alison H.

2007-01-01

This study examined 3-year-old children who were classified as hyperactive (HYP), oppositional-defiant (OD), hyperactive and oppositional defiant (HYP/OD), and non-problem based on mothers' reports of behavior. Using fathers', teachers', and observers' ratings of children's behavior, concurrent validity was excellent for the HYP/OD group, moderate…

High Velocity Oxidation and Hot Corrosion Resistance of Some ODS Alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lowell, C. E.; Deadmore, D. L.

1977-01-01

Several oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys were tested for cyclic, high velocity, oxidation, and hot corrosion resistance. These results were compared to the resistance of an advanced, NiCrAl coated superalloy. An ODS FeCrAl were identified as having sufficient oxidation and hot corrosion resistance to allow potential use in an aircraft gas turbine without coating.

Citrullinated Chemokines in Rheumatoid Arthritis

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-01

fluids (SFs) compared to osteoarthritis (OA) and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases (OD) SFs, and its concentration correlates with RA disease ...osteoarthritis (OA), and other inflammatory rheumatic disease (OD) synovial fluids (SFs). The correlation between the citrullinated chemokine levels and...Objectives: Specific Aim 1: To determine how citrullinated chemokines compare in RA, vs. OA, vs. other rheumatic diseases (OD), vs. NLs. Major Task 1

Antisense oligonucleotide technologies in drug discovery.

PubMed

Aboul-Fadl, Tarek

2006-09-01

The principle of antisense oligonucleotide (AS-OD) technologies is based on the specific inhibition of unwanted gene expression by blocking mRNA activity. It has long appeared to be an ideal strategy to leverage new genomic knowledge for drug discovery and development. In recent years, AS-OD technologies have been widely used as potent and promising tools for this purpose. There is a rapid increase in the number of antisense molecules progressing in clinical trials. AS-OD technologies provide a simple and efficient approach for drug discovery and development and are expected to become a reality in the near future. This editorial describes the established and emerging AS-OD technologies in drug discovery.

Filter Strategies for Mars Science Laboratory Orbit Determination

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, Paul F.; Gustafson, Eric D.; Kruizinga, Gerhard L.; Martin-Mur, Tomas J.

2013-01-01

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft had ambitious navigation delivery and knowledge accuracy requirements for landing inside Gale Crater. Confidence in the orbit determination (OD) solutions was increased by investigating numerous filter strategies for solving the orbit determination problem. We will discuss the strategy for the different types of variations: for example, data types, data weights, solar pressure model covariance, and estimating versus considering model parameters. This process generated a set of plausible OD solutions that were compared to the baseline OD strategy. Even implausible or unrealistic results were helpful in isolating sensitivities in the OD solutions to certain model parameterizations or data types.

Properties of oxide dispersion strengthened alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whittenberger, J. Daniel

1989-01-01

A contrast is drawn between the behavior of ODS alloys' matrix compositions and that of more conventional alloys. Mechanical property enhancements associated with ODS alloys are accounted for by both the presence of the dispersoids and, in some cases, the smaller size and number of secondary phases. Data obtained for ODS materials to date indicate the presence of three different threshold stresses, due to dislocation-particle interactions, diffusional creep/grain boundary sliding, and, in the case of the MA 956 ODS alloy, crack nucleation and growth processes. It is critical to establish which threshold stress is in effect, since the latter two stresses can result in failure by cracking.

Localization of optic disc and fovea in retinal images using intensity based line scanning analysis.

PubMed

Kamble, Ravi; Kokare, Manesh; Deshmukh, Girish; Hussin, Fawnizu Azmadi; Mériaudeau, Fabrice

2017-08-01

Accurate detection of diabetic retinopathy (DR) mainly depends on identification of retinal landmarks such as optic disc and fovea. Present methods suffer from challenges like less accuracy and high computational complexity. To address this issue, this paper presents a novel approach for fast and accurate localization of optic disc (OD) and fovea using one-dimensional scanned intensity profile analysis. The proposed method utilizes both time and frequency domain information effectively for localization of OD. The final OD center is located using signal peak-valley detection in time domain and discontinuity detection in frequency domain analysis. However, with the help of detected OD location, the fovea center is located using signal valley analysis. Experiments were conducted on MESSIDOR dataset, where OD was successfully located in 1197 out of 1200 images (99.75%) and fovea in 1196 out of 1200 images (99.66%) with an average computation time of 0.52s. The large scale evaluation has been carried out extensively on nine publicly available databases. The proposed method is highly efficient in terms of quickly and accurately localizing OD and fovea structure together compared with the other state-of-the-art methods. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Status of FeCrAl ODS Irradiations in the High Flux Isotope Reactor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Field, Kevin G.; Howard, Richard H.

2016-08-19

FeCrAl oxide-dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys are an attractive sub-set alloy class of the more global FeCrAl material class for nuclear applications due to their high-temperature steam oxidation resistance and hypothesized enhanced radiation tolerance. A need currently exists to determine the radiation tolerance of these newly developed alloys. To address this need, a preliminary study was conducted using the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) to irradiate an early generation FeCrAl ODS alloy, 125YF. Preliminary post-irradiation examination (PIE) on these irradiated specimens have shown good radiation tolerance at elevated temperatures (≥330°C) but possible radiation-induced hardening and embrittlement at irradiations of 200°C tomore » a damage level of 1.9 displacement per atom (dpa). Building on this experience, a new series of irradiations are currently being conceptualized. This irradiation series called the FCAD irradiation program will irradiate the latest generation FeCrAl ODS and FeCr ODS alloys to significantly higher doses. These experiments will provide the necessary information to determine the mechanical performance of irradiated FeCrAl ODS alloys at light water reactor and fast reactor conditions.« less

Role of enterocele in the obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS): a new radiological point of view.

PubMed

Morandi, C; Martellucci, J; Talento, P; Carriero, A

2010-08-01

The aim of this study was to understand the role of enterocele in the pathogenesis of the obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) a new defecographic classification based on function. A total of 597 patients (551 women, 46 men) who underwent cinedefecography between November 2001 and November 2005 were studied. A total of 567 (95%) underwent cinedefecography as they had symptoms of ODS. Enterocele was classified into three types. Enterocele was found in 127 (23%) female and one (2.2%) male patients. Thirty-eight (6.9%) patients had type A, 38(6.9%) type B, and 27(4.9%) type C enterocele. A total of 24 patients (4.35%) had sigmoidocele. In patients with type C enterocele, the finding of a radiological pattern of ODS was higher (26/27) than that in the other groups (A + B + Sigmoidocele) (23/100) (P < 0.001). An obstructed evacuation pattern was found in 49 (38.5%) patients with enterocele and in 148 (34.9%) patients in the control group. Type C enterocele is often associated with a radiological pattern of ODS and usually presents as an isolated condition. Type B is less frequently associated with ODS and is more frequently accompanied by other pathological conditions.

A phase I study of LY317615 (enzastaurin) and temozolomide in patients with gliomas (EORTC trial 26054)

PubMed Central

Rampling, Roy; Sanson, Marc; Gorlia, Thiery; Lacombe, Denis; Lai, Christina; Gharib, Myriam; Taal, Walter; Stoffregen, Clemens; Decker, Rodney; van den Bent, Martin J.

2012-01-01

We report a phase 1 study to examine the safety and recommended dose of the oral protein kinase C-beta inhibitor (anti-angiogenic) enzastaurin in combination with single-agent temozolomide. The study was conducted in patients with recurrent glioblastoma or newly diagnosed disease that was not treatable with standard (chemo)radiotherapy. Patients were treated with standard dose temozolomide (200 mg/m2 for 5 days every 4 weeks) together with daily oral enzastaurin. Three dose levels of enzastaurin were investigated: 250 mg daily (OD), 500 mg OD, and 250 mg twice daily (BID). Dose-limiting toxicity was determined in the first 2 cycles, but treatment continued until limiting toxicity or disease progression was identified. Twenty-eight patients were enrolled. No dose-limiting toxicity was noted at 250 mg OD or 500 mg OD. However, at 250 mg BID, 2 dose-limiting episodes of thrombocytopenia were noted. The recommended dose for enzastaurin in combination with standard 4-weekly temozolomide is therefore 500 mg OD. The pharmacokinetics of enzastaurin in combination with temozolomide was evaluated. Temozolomide did not appear to effect enzastaurin exposures at the 250 mg or 500 mg OD dose levels. PMID:22291006

Detectability of the impacts of ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases upon stratospheric ozone accounting for nonlinearities in historical forcings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bandoro, Justin; Solomon, Susan; Santer, Benjamin D.; Kinnison, Douglas E.; Mills, Michael J.

2018-01-01

We perform a formal attribution study of upper- and lower-stratospheric ozone changes using observations together with simulations from the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model. Historical model simulations were used to estimate the zonal-mean response patterns (fingerprints) to combined forcing by ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) and well-mixed greenhouse gases (GHGs), as well as to the individual forcing by each factor. Trends in the similarity between the searched-for fingerprints and homogenized observations of stratospheric ozone were compared to trends in pattern similarity between the fingerprints and the internally and naturally generated variability inferred from long control runs. This yields estimated signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios for each of the three fingerprints (ODS, GHG, and ODS + GHG). In both the upper stratosphere (defined in this paper as 1 to 10 hPa) and lower stratosphere (40 to 100 hPa), the spatial fingerprints of the ODS + GHG and ODS-only patterns were consistently detectable not only during the era of maximum ozone depletion but also throughout the observational record (1984-2016). We also develop a fingerprint attribution method to account for forcings whose time evolutions are markedly nonlinear over the observational record. When the nonlinearity of the time evolution of the ODS and ODS + GHG signals is accounted for, we find that the S/N ratios obtained with the stratospheric ODS and ODS + GHG fingerprints are enhanced relative to standard linear trend analysis. Use of the nonlinear signal detection method also reduces the detection time - the estimate of the date at which ODS and GHG impacts on ozone can be formally identified. Furthermore, by explicitly considering nonlinear signal evolution, the complete observational record can be used in the S/N analysis, without applying piecewise linear regression and introducing arbitrary break points. The GHG-driven fingerprint of ozone changes was not statistically identifiable in either the upper- or lower-stratospheric SWOOSH data, irrespective of the signal detection method used. In the WACCM simulations of future climate change, the GHG signal is statistically identifiable between 2020 and 2030. Our findings demonstrate the importance of continued stratospheric ozone monitoring to improve estimates of the contributions of ODS and GHG forcing to global changes in stratospheric ozone.

Mind reading abilities in opiate-dependent patients: An exploratory study.

PubMed

Gandolphe, Marie-Charlotte; Lecluyse, Bérénice; Triquet, Claire; Brunelle, Emmanuel; Duparcq, Jean-Paul; Nandrino, Jean-Louis

2018-05-01

Impairments in social cognition have been described as playing a major role in the maintenance of addictive behavior in substance abusers. This study aimed to investigate the Theory of Mind (ToM) ability of opiate-dependent (OD) patients and to explore whether TOM ability was correlated with length of substance abuse, age at onset of substance abuse and length of abstinence. OD patients (N = 29) and non-dependent individuals (NDI) (N = 29) were submitted to the Theory of Mind Assessment Scale (Th.o.m.a.s.), a semi-structured interview, and to the Versailles-Lecture Intentionnelle en Situation (V-LIS), a movie paradigm in which participants have to infer the characters' intentions. The results confirmed a deficit in ToM ability in OD patients, with OD patients demonstrating poorer performance than NDI on both the V-LIS and the Th.o.m.a.s. The combination of perspective taking and reflecting on others' mental states was particularly difficult for OD patients. Furthermore, impairments in ToM abilities were not correlated with the age at onset of substance abuse or to the duration of substance abuse or abstinence. The results suggest OD patients may have impaired social cognition, demonstrating deficits in even basic social interaction skills, which may constitute a risk factor for addiction. These findings underline the importance of developing interventions to improve social cognition ability during the rehabilitation of OD patients. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Characteristics of communication systems of suspected occupational disease in the Autonomous Communities, Spain].

PubMed

García Gómez, Montserrat; Urbaneja Arrúe, Félix; García López, Vega; Estaban Buedo, Valentín; Rodríguez Suárez, Valentín; Miralles Martínez-Portillo, Lourdes; González García, Isabel; Egea Garcia, Josefa; Corraliza Infanzon, Emma; Ramírez Salvador, Laura; Briz Blázquez, Santiago; Armengol Rosell, Ricard; Cisnal Gredilla, José María; Correa Rodríguez, Juan Francisco; Coto Fernández, Juan Carlos; Díaz Peral, Mª Rosario; Elvira Espinosa, Mercedes; Fernández Fernández, Iñigo; García-Ramos Alonso, Eduardo; Martínez Arguisuelas, Nieves; Rivas Pérez, Ana Isabel

2017-03-17

There are several initiatives to develop systems for the notification of suspected occupational disease (OD) in different autonomous communities. The objective was to describe the status of development and characteristics of these systems implemented by the health authorities. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on the existence of systems for the information and surveillance of suspected OD, their legal framework, responsible institution and availability of information. A specific meeting was held and a survey was designed and sent to all autonomous communities and autonomous cities (AACC). Information was collected on the existence of a regulatory standard, assigned human resources, notifiers, coverage and number of suspected OD received, processed and recognized. 18 of 19 AACC responded. 10 have developed a suspected OD notification system, 3 of them supported by specific autonomic law. The notifiers were physicians of the public health services, physicians of the occupational health services and, in 2 cases, medical inspectors. 7 AACC had specific software to support the system. The OD recognition rate of suspected cases was 53% in the Basque Country; 41% in Castilla-La Mancha; 36% in Murcia; 32.6% in the Valencian Community and 31% in La Rioja. The study has revealed an heterogeneous development of suspected OD reporting systems in Spain. Although the trend is positive, only 55% of the AACC have some type of development and 39% have specific software supporting it. Therefore unequal OD recognition rates have been obtained depending on the territory.

The Optical Depth Sensor (ODS) for Mars atmosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toledo, D.; Rannou, P.; Pommereau, J.-P.; Sarkissian, A.; Foujols, T.

2015-10-01

A small and sophisticated optical depth sensor (ODS) has been designed to work in both Martian and Earth environments. The principal goal of ODS is to carry out the opacity due to the Martian dust as well as to characterize the high altitude clouds at twilight, crucial parameters in understanding of Martian meteorology. The instrument was initially designed for the failed MARS96 Russian mission, and also was included in the payload of several other missions [1]. Until recently, it was selected (NASA/ESA AO) in the payload of the atmospheric package DREAMS onboard the MARS 2016 mission. But following a decision of the CNES, it is no more included in the payload. In order to study the performance of ODS under a wide range of conditions as well as its capable to provide daily measurements of both dust optical thickness and high altitude clouds properties, the instrument has participated in different terrestrial campaigns. A good performance of ODS prototype (Figure 1) on cirrus clouds detection and in dust opacity estimation was previously archived in Africa during 2004-2005 and in Brasil from 2012 to nowadays. Moreover, a campaign in the arctic is expected before 2016 where fifteen ODSs will be part of an integrated observing system over the Arctic Ocean, allowing test the ODS performance in extreme conditions. In this presentation we present main principle of the retrieval, the instrumental concept, the result of the tests performed and the principal objectives of ODS in Mars.

Optical Depth Sensor (ODS) for the measurement of dust and clouds properties in the Mars atmosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toledo, D.; Rannou, P.; Pommereau, J.-P.; Sarkissian, A.; Foujols, T.

2014-04-01

A small and sophisticated optical depth sensor (ODS) has been designed to work in both Martian and Earth environments. The principal goal of ODS is to carry out the opacity due to the Martian dust as well as to characterize the high altitude clouds at twilight, crucial parameters in understanding of Martian meteorology. The instrument was initially designed for the failed MARS96 Russian mission, and also was included in the payload of several other missions [1]. Until recently, it was selected (NASA/ESA AO) in the payload of the atmospheric package DREAMS onboard the MARS 2016 mission. But following a decision of the CNES, it is no more included in the payload. In order to study the performance of ODS under a wide range of conditions as well as its capable to provide daily measurements of both dust optical thickness and high altitude clouds properties, the instrument has participated in different terrestrial campaigns. A good performance of ODS prototype (Figure 1) on cirrus clouds detection and in dust opacity estimation was previously archived in Africa during 2004-2005 and in Brasil from 2012 to nowadays. Moreover, a campaign in the arctic is expected before 2016 where fifteen ODSs will be part of an integrated observing system over the Arctic Ocean, allowing test the ODS performance in extreme conditions. In this presentation we present main principle of the retrieval, the instrumental concept, the result of the tests performed and the principal objectives of ODS in Mars.

The Optical Depth Sensor (ODS) for Mars atmosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toledo, D.; Rannou, P.; Pommereau, J.-P.; Sarkissian, A.; Foujols, T.

2013-09-01

A small and sophisticated optical depth sensor (ODS) has been designed to work in the martian atmosphere. The principal goal of ODS is to carry out the opacity due to the Martian dust as well as to characterize the high altitude clouds at twilight, crucial parameters in understanding of Martian meteorology. The instrument was initially designed for the failed MARS96 Russian mission, and also was included in the payload of several other missions [1]. Until recently, it was selected (NASA/ESA AO) in the payload of the atmospheric package DREAMS onboard the MARS 2016 mission. But following a decision of the CNES, it is no more included in the payload. In order to study the performance of ODS under a wide range of conditions as well as its capable to provide daily measurements of both dust optical thickness and high altitude clouds, the instrument has participated in different terrestrial campaigns. A good performance of ODS prototype (Figure 1) on cirrus clouds detection and in dust opacity estimation was previously archived in Africa during 2004-2005 and in Brasil from 2012 to nowadays. Moreover, a campaign in the arctic is expected before 2016 where fifteen ODSs will be part of an integrated observing system over the Arctic Ocean, allowing test the ODS performance in extreme conditions. In this presentation we present main principle of the retrieval, the instrumental concept, the result of the tests performed and the principal objectives of ODS in Mars.

Annealing effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties of hot-rolled 14Cr-ODS steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, R.; Zhang, T.; Ding, H. L.; Jiang, Y.; Wang, X. P.; Fang, Q. F.; Liu, C. S.

2015-10-01

The oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic steels with nominal composition (weight percent) of Fe-14Cr-2W-0.5Ti-0.06Si-0.2V-0.1Mn-0.05Ta-0.03C-0.3Y2O3 were fabricated by sol-gel method, mechanical alloying, and hot isostatic pressing techniques. The evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties of the hot-rolled specimens with heat treatment was investigated. Tensile strength and hardness of hot-rolled ODS steel are significantly enhanced due to the formation of mechanical twins and high density dislocations. Uniformly dispersed oxide particles (10-40 nm) and fine-grained structure (200-400 nm) are responsible for the superior mechanical properties of the hot-rolled specimen annealed between 650 °C and 850 °C. With further increasing annealing temperature, the grain size of the hot-rolled specimens increases while the size of oxide particles decreases, which leads to lower strength and hardness but better ductility. The tensile strength and total elongation of samples in the rolling direction are higher than those in the transverse direction after the same treatments owing to the grain anisotropy induced by the large mechanical deformation.

Femtosecond pump/supercontinuum-probe spectroscopy: optimized setup and signal analysis for single-shot spectral referencing.

PubMed

Dobryakov, A L; Kovalenko, S A; Weigel, A; Pérez-Lustres, J L; Lange, J; Müller, A; Ernsting, N P

2010-11-01

A setup for pump/supercontinuum-probe spectroscopy is described which (i) is optimized to cancel fluctuations of the probe light by single-shot referencing, and (ii) extends the probe range into the near-uv (1000-270 nm). Reflective optics allow 50 μm spot size in the sample and upon entry into two separate spectrographs. The correlation γ(same) between sample and reference readings of probe light level at every pixel exceeds 0.99, compared to γ(consec)<0.92 reported for consecutive referencing. Statistical analysis provides the confidence interval of the induced optical density, ΔOD. For demonstration we first examine a dye (Hoechst 33258) bound in the minor groove of double-stranded DNA. A weak 1.1 ps spectral oscillation in the fluorescence region, assigned to DNA breathing, is shown to be significant. A second example concerns the weak vibrational structure around t=0 which reflects stimulated Raman processes. With 1% fluctuations of probe power, baseline noise for a transient absorption spectrum becomes 25 μOD rms in 1 s at 1 kHz, allowing to record resonance Raman spectra of flavine adenine dinucleotide in the S(0) and S(1) state.

Peptide-activated gold nanoparticles for selective visual sensing of virus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sajjanar, Basavaraj; Kakodia, Bhuvna; Bisht, Deepika; Saxena, Shikha; Singh, Arvind Kumar; Joshi, Vinay; Tiwari, Ashok Kumar; Kumar, Satish

2015-05-01

In this study, we report peptide-gold nanoparticles (AuNP)-based visual sensor for viruses. Citrate-stabilized AuNP (20 ± 1.9 nm) were functionalized with strong sulfur-gold interface using cysteinylated virus-specific peptide. Peptide-Cys-AuNP formed complexes with the viruses which made them to aggregate. The aggregation can be observed with naked eye and also with UV-Vis spectrophotometer as a color change from bright red to purple. The test allows for fast and selective detection of specific viruses. Spectroscopic measurements showed high linear correlation ( R 2 = 0.995) between the changes in optical density ratio (OD610/OD520) with the different concentrations of virus. The new method was compared with the hemagglutinating (HA) test for Newcastle disease virus (NDV). The results indicated that peptide-Cys-AuNP was more sensitive and can visually detect minimum number of virus particles present in the biological samples. The limit of detection for the NDV was 0.125 HA units of the virus. The method allows for selective detection and quantification of the NDV, and requires no isolation of viral RNA and PCR experiments. This strategy may be utilized for detection of other important human and animal viral pathogens.

Platelet factor 4/heparin antibodies in blood bank donors.

PubMed

Hursting, Marcie J; Pai, Poulomi J; McCracken, Julianna E; Hwang, Fred; Suvarna, Shayela; Lokhnygina, Yuliya; Bandarenko, Nicholas; Arepally, Gowthami M

2010-11-01

Platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin antibody, typically associated with heparin therapy, is reported in some heparin-naive people. Seroprevalence in the general population, however, remains unclear. We prospectively evaluated PF4/heparin antibody in approximately 4,000 blood bank donors using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for initial and then repeated (confirmatory) testing. Antibody was detected initially in 249 (6.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.8%-7.4%) of 3,795 donors and repeatedly in 163 (4.3%; 95% CI, 3.7%-5.0%) of 3,789 evaluable donors. "Unconfirmed" positives were mostly (93%) low positives (optical density [OD] = 0.40-0.59). Of 163 repeatedly positive samples, 116 (71.2%) were low positives, and 124 (76.1%) exhibited heparin-dependent binding. Predominant isotypes of intermediate to high seropositive samples (OD >0.6) were IgG (20/39 [51%]), IgM (9/39 [23%]), and indeterminate (10/39 [26%]). The marked background seroprevalence of PF4/heparin antibody (4.3%-6.6%) with the preponderance of low (and frequently nonreproducible) positives in blood donors suggests the need for further assay calibration, categorization of antibody level, and studies evaluating clinical relevance of "naturally occurring" PF4/heparin antibodies.

Simultaneous determination of D-aspartic acid and D-glutamic acid in rat tissues and physiological fluids using a multi-loop two-dimensional HPLC procedure.

PubMed

Han, Hai; Miyoshi, Yurika; Ueno, Kyoko; Okamura, Chieko; Tojo, Yosuke; Mita, Masashi; Lindner, Wolfgang; Zaitsu, Kiyoshi; Hamase, Kenji

2011-11-01

For a metabolomics study focusing on the analysis of aspartic and glutamic acid enantiomers, a fully automated two-dimensional HPLC system employing a microbore-ODS column and a narrowbore-enantioselective column was developed. By using this system, a detailed distribution of D-Asp and D-Glu besides L-Asp and L-Glu in mammals was elucidated. For the total analysis concept, the amino acids were first pre-column derivatized with 4-fluoro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD-F) to be sensitively and fluorometrically detected. For the non-stereoselective separation of the analytes in the first dimension a monolithic ODS column (750 mm × 0.53 mm i.d.) was adopted, and a self-packed narrowbore-Pirkle type enantioselective column (Sumichiral OA-2500S, 250 mm × 1.5 mm i.d.) was selected for the second dimension. In the rat plasma, RSD values for intra-day and inter-day precision were less than 6.8%, and the accuracy ranged between 96.1% and 105.8%. The values of LOQ of D-Asp and D-Glu were 5 fmol/injection (0.625 nmol/g tissue). The present method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of free aspartic acid and glutamic acid enantiomers in 7 brain areas, 11 peripheral tissues, plasma and urine of Wistar rats. Biologically significant D-Asp values were found in various tissue samples whereas for D-Glu the values were very low possibly indicating less significance. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Once versus three times daily dosing of oral budesonide for active Crohn's disease: a double-blind, double-dummy, randomised trial.

PubMed

Dignass, Axel; Stoynov, Simeon; Dorofeyev, Andrey E; Grigorieva, Galina A; Tomsová, Eva; Altorjay, István; Tuculanu, Daniel; Bunganič, Ivan; Pokrotnieks, Juris; Kupčinskas, Limas; Dilger, Karin; Greinwald, Roland; Mueller, Ralph

2014-09-01

Oral budesonide 9 mg/day represents first-line treatment of mild-to-moderately active ileocolonic Crohn's disease. However, there is no precise recommendation for budesonide dosing due to lack of comparative data. A once-daily (OD) 9 mg dose may improve adherence and thereby efficacy. An eight-week, double-blind, double-dummy randomised trial compared budesonide 9 mg OD versus 3mg three-times daily (TID) in patients with mild-to-moderately active ileocolonic Crohn's disease. Primary endpoint was clinical remission defined as CDAI <150 at week 8 (last observation carried forward). The final intent-to-treat population comprised 471 patients (238 [9 mg OD], 233 [3 mg TID]). The confirmatory population for the primary endpoint analysis was the interim per protocol population (n=377; 188 [9 mg OD], 189 [3mg TID]), in which the primary endpoint was statistically non-inferior with budesonide 9 mg OD versus 3 mg TID. Clinical remission was achieved in 71.3% versus 75.1%, a difference of -3.9% (95% CI [-14.6%; 6.4%]; p=0.020 for non-inferiority). The mean (SD) time to remission was 21.9 (13.8) days versus 21.4 (14.6) days with budesonide 9 mg OD versus 3 mg TID, respectively. In a subpopulation of 122 patients with baseline SES-CD ulcer score ≥1, complete mucosal healing occurred in 32.8% (21/64) on 9 mg OD and 41.4% (24/58) on 3mg TID; deep remission (mucosal healing and clinical remission) was observed in 26.6% (17/64) and 32.8% (19/58) of patients, respectively. Treatment-emergent suspected adverse drug reactions were reported in 4.6% of 9 mg OD and 4.7% of 3 mg TID patients. Budesonide at the recommended dose of 9 mg/day can be administered OD without impaired efficacy and safety compared to 3mg TID dosing in mild-to-moderately active Crohn's disease. Copyright © 2014 European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Activity of invasive slug Limax maximus in relation to climate conditions based on citizen's observations and novel regularization based statistical approaches.

PubMed

Morii, Yuta; Ohkubo, Yusaku; Watanabe, Sanae

2018-05-13

Citizen science is a powerful tool that can be used to resolve the problems of introduced species. An amateur naturalist and author of this paper, S. Watanabe, recorded the total number of Limax maximus (Limacidae, Pulmonata) individuals along a fixed census route almost every day for two years on Hokkaido Island, Japan. L. maximus is an invasive slug considered a pest species of horticultural and agricultural crops. We investigated how weather conditions were correlated to the intensity of slug activity using for the first time in ecology the recently developed statistical analyses, Bayesian regularization regression with comparisons among Laplace, Horseshoe and Horseshoe+ priors for the first time in ecology. The slug counts were compared with meteorological data from 5:00 in the morning on the day of observation (OT- and OD-models) and the day before observation (DBOD-models). The OT- and OD-models were more supported than the DBOD-models based on the WAIC scores, and the meteorological predictors selected in the OT-, OD- and DBOD-models were different. The probability of slug appearance was increased on mornings with higher than 20-year-average humidity (%) and lower than average wind velocity (m/s) and precipitation (mm) values in the OT-models. OD-models showed a pattern similar to OT-models in the probability of slug appearance, but also suggested other meteorological predictors for slug activities; positive effect of solar radiation (MJ) for example. Five meteorological predictors, mean and highest temperature (°C), wind velocity (m/s), precipitation amount (mm) and atmospheric pressure (hPa), were selected as the effective factors for the counts in the DBOD-models. Therefore, the DBOD-models will be valuable for the prediction of slug activity in the future, much like a weather forecast. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Exogenous bFGF or TGFβ1 accelerates healing of reconstructed dura by CO2 laser soldering in minipigs.

PubMed

Wang, Zhenmin; Zhong, Hongliang; Yang, Zhijun; Zhao, Fu; Wang, Bo; Qu, Peiran; Liu, Pinan

2014-05-01

This study aims to explore the probable mechanism of better result of dural reconstruction by CO2 laser soldering and the effect of exogenous basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or transforming growth factor-beta1(TGFβ1) on wound healing. In part I of the study, ten minipigs were randomized into two equal groups, and the dural defects were reconstructed by conventional fibrin glue (FG) bonding (group I a) or by CO2 laser soldering (group Ib). In part II, 36 minipigs were randomized into three equal groups, and the dural defect was reconstructed by CO2 laser soldering; then exogenous bFGF or TGFβ1 was administered in group IIb and group IIc, respectively, while group IIa served as control group. The dural specimens were harvested at 1st week postoperatively in part I; and at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week postoperatively in part II, they were examined for healing condition and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining with antibodies against bFGF and TGFβ1. In part I, group Ib showed higher fibroblast cell density than group Ia (P < 0.05). The optical density (OD) for IHC staining with antibodies against bFGF of group Ib was significantly higher than that of group Ia (P < 0.05), and for IHC staining with antibodies against TGFβ1, group Ib showed positive staining while group Ia was negative. In part II, administering exogenous bFGF or TGFβ1 made a left shift of fibroblast cell number-time curve compared with control group. For specimens' IHC staining with antibodies against bFGF, the OD of group IIb was higher than that of group IIa in the corresponding time. For specimens' IHC staining with antibodies against TGFβ1, the OD of groups IIb and IIc was both higher than that of group IIa (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). In conclusion, CO2 laser may trigger fibroblast proliferation through stimulating the secretion of bFGF and TGFβ1. Topically administering exogenous bFGF or TGFβ1 could accelerate the healing of the reconstructed dura by enhancing secretion of bFGF and/or TGFβ1 and promoting the process of fibroblast gathering-degrading.

Microstructure investigation of 13Cr-2Mo ODS steel components obtained by high voltage electric discharge compaction technique

DOE PAGES

Bogachev, Igor; Yudin, Artem; Grigoryev, Evgeniy; ...

2015-11-02

Refractory oxide dispersion strengthened 13Cr-2Mo steel powder was successfully consolidated to near theoretical density using high voltage electric discharge compaction. Cylindrical samples with relative density from 90% to 97% and dimensions of 10 mm in diameter and 10–15 mm in height were obtained. Consolidation conditions such as pressure and voltage were varied in some ranges to determine the optimal compaction regime. Three different concentrations of yttria were used to identify its effect on the properties of the samples. It is shown that the utilized ultra-rapid consolidation process in combination with high transmitted energy allows obtaining high density compacts, retaining themore » initial structure with minimal grain growth. The experimental results indicate some heterogeneity of the structure which may occur in the external layers of the tested samples due to various thermal and electromagnetic in-processing effects. As a result, the choice of the optimal parameters of the consolidation enables obtaining samples of acceptable quality.« less

Microstructure Investigation of 13Cr-2Mo ODS Steel Components Obtained by High Voltage Electric Discharge Compaction Technique.

PubMed

Bogachev, Igor; Yudin, Artem; Grigoryev, Evgeniy; Chernov, Ivan; Staltsov, Maxim; Khasanov, Oleg; Olevsky, Eugene

2015-11-02

Refractory oxide dispersion strengthened 13Cr-2Mo steel powder was successfully consolidated to near theoretical density using high voltage electric discharge compaction. Cylindrical samples with relative density from 90% to 97% and dimensions of 10 mm in diameter and 10-15 mm in height were obtained. Consolidation conditions such as pressure and voltage were varied in some ranges to determine the optimal compaction regime. Three different concentrations of yttria were used to identify its effect on the properties of the samples. It is shown that the utilized ultra-rapid consolidation process in combination with high transmitted energy allows obtaining high density compacts, retaining the initial structure with minimal grain growth. The experimental results indicate some heterogeneity of the structure which may occur in the external layers of the tested samples due to various thermal and electromagnetic in-processing effects. The choice of the optimal parameters of the consolidation enables obtaining samples of acceptable quality.

High gas velocity oxidation and hot corrosion testing of oxide dispersion-strengthened nickel-base alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deadmore, D. L.; Lowell, C. E.

1975-01-01

Several oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) nickel-base alloys were tested in high velocity gases for cyclic oxidation resistance at temperatures to 1200 C and times to 500 hours and for hot corrosion resistance at 900 C for 200 hours. Nickel-chromium-aluminum ODS alloys were found to have superior resistance to oxidation and hot corrosion when compared to bare and coated nickel-chromium ODS alloys. The best of the alloys tested had compositions of nickel - 15.5 to 16 weight percent chromium with aluminum weight percents between 4.5 and 5.0. All of the nickel-chromium-aluminum ODS materials experienced small weight losses (less than 16 mg/sq cm).

A complex interaction of imprinted and maternal-effect genes modifies sex determination in Odd Sex (Ods) mice.

PubMed

Poirier, Christophe; Qin, Yangjun; Adams, Carolyn P; Anaya, Yanett; Singer, Jonathan B; Hill, Annie E; Lander, Eric S; Nadeau, Joseph H; Bishop, Colin E

2004-11-01

The transgenic insertional mouse mutation Odd Sex (Ods) represents a model for the long-range regulation of Sox9. The mutation causes complete female-to-male sex reversal by inducing a male-specific expression pattern of Sox9 in XX Ods/+ embryonic gonads. We previously described an A/J strain-specific suppressor of Ods termed Odsm1(A). Here we show that phenotypic sex depends on a complex interaction between the suppressor and the transgene. Suppression can be achieved only if the transgene is transmitted paternally. In addition, the suppressor itself exhibits a maternal effect, suggesting that it may act on chromatin in the early embryo.

A Complex Interaction of Imprinted and Maternal-Effect Genes Modifies Sex Determination in Odd Sex (Ods) Mice

PubMed Central

Poirier, Christophe; Qin, Yangjun; Adams, Carolyn P.; Anaya, Yanett; Singer, Jonathan B.; Hill, Annie E.; Lander, Eric S.; Nadeau, Joseph H.; Bishop, Colin E.

2004-01-01

The transgenic insertional mouse mutation Odd Sex (Ods) represents a model for the long-range regulation of Sox9. The mutation causes complete female-to-male sex reversal by inducing a male-specific expression pattern of Sox9 in XX Ods/+ embryonic gonads. We previously described an A/J strain-specific suppressor of Ods termed Odsm1A. Here we show that phenotypic sex depends on a complex interaction between the suppressor and the transgene. Suppression can be achieved only if the transgene is transmitted paternally. In addition, the suppressor itself exhibits a maternal effect, suggesting that it may act on chromatin in the early embryo. PMID:15579706

Application of multispectral imaging in quantitative immunohistochemistry study of breast cancer: a comparative study.

PubMed

Liu, Wen-Lou; Wang, Lin-Wei; Chen, Jia-Mei; Yuan, Jing-Ping; Xiang, Qing-Ming; Yang, Gui-Fang; Qu, Ai-Ping; Liu, Juan; Li, Yan

2016-04-01

Multispectral imaging (MSI) based on imaging and spectroscopy, as relatively novel to the field of histopathology, has been used in biomedical multidisciplinary researches. We analyzed and compared the utility of multispectral (MS) versus conventional red-green-blue (RGB) images for immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining to explore the advantages of MSI in clinical-pathological diagnosis. The MS images acquired of IHC-stained membranous marker human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), cytoplasmic marker cytokeratin5/6 (CK5/6), and nuclear marker estrogen receptor (ER) have higher resolution, stronger contrast, and more accurate segmentation than the RGB images. The total signal optical density (OD) values for each biomarker were higher in MS images than in RGB images (all P < 0.05). Moreover, receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that a greater area under the curve (AUC), higher sensitivity, and specificity in evaluation of HER2 gene were achieved by MS images (AUC = 0.91, 89.1 %, 83.2 %) than RGB images (AUC = 0.87, 84.5, and 81.8 %). There was no significant difference between quantitative results of RGB images and clinico-pathological characteristics (P > 0.05). However, by quantifying MS images, the total signal OD values of HER2 positive expression were correlated with lymph node status and histological grades (P = 0.02 and 0.04). Additionally, the consistency test results indicated the inter-observer agreement was more robust in MS images for HER2 (inter-class correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.95, r s = 0.94), CK5/6 (ICC = 0.90, r s = 0.88), and ER (ICC = 0.94, r s = 0.94) (all P < 0.001) than that in RGB images for HER2 (ICC = 0.91, r s = 0.89), CK5/6 (ICC = 0.85, r s = 0.84), and ER (ICC = 0.90, r s = 0.89) (all P < 0.001). Our results suggest that the application of MS images in quantitative IHC analysis could obtain higher accuracy, reliability, and more information of protein expression in relation to clinico-pathological characteristics versus conventional RGB images. It may become an optimal IHC digital imaging system used in quantitative pathology.

Shock Wave Dynamics of Novel Aluminized Detonations and Empirical Model for Temperature Evolution from Post-Detonation Combustion Fireballs

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-01

Aerospace Corporation and had both an imager and a spectrometer [34, p. 4] that employed a 60-element mercury-cadmium-telluride ( MCT ) detector array...resolution (∆λ/λ) of 0.01. Using the CVIF and the MCT detector array, they concluded the following: Table 1. Summary of previous research on...304LN FTS using HgCdTe ( MCT ) (667–2500cm−1) and InSb (1,800–10,000 cm−1) detectors , with the InSb channel fitted with an optical density (OD) filter

Fast Algorithms for Mining Co-evolving Time Series

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

Keogh et al., 2001, 2004] and (b) forecasting, like an autoregressive integrated moving average model ( ARIMA ) and related meth- ods [Box et al., 1994...computing hardware? We develop models to mine time series with missing values, to extract compact representation from time sequences, to segment the...sequences, and to do forecasting. For large scale data, we propose algorithms for learning time series models , in particular, including Linear Dynamical

Effect of oven drying and freeze drying on the antioxidant and functional properties of protein hydrolysates derived from freshwater fish (Cirrhinus mrigala) using papain enzyme.

PubMed

Elavarasan, Krishnamoorthy; Shamasundar, Bangalore Aswathnarayan

2016-02-01

Fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) was prepared from fresh water fish Cirrhinus mrigala using papain and dried in oven (OD-FPH) and freeze dryer (FD-FPH). The electron micrographs of FD-FPH samples showed porous structure. The browning intensity of OD-FPH samples was higher than the FD-FPH samples. The DPPH (2, 2 Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity and linoleic acid peroxidation inhibition activity of FPH were not affected by oven drying process. The sequential digestion of FPH with pepsin and pancreatin reduced the antioxidant properties in both OD-FPH and FD-FPH samples. The solubility of proteins in OD-FPH was lower at pH 5 while for that of FD-FPH it was at pH 7 with water as solvent. The surface active properties of FD-FPH samples were higher than OD-FPH samples. The oven drying of fish protein hydrolysates may be advocated considering the properties and cost of production.

1×3 optical drop splitter in a rod-type silicon photonic crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhuang, Dongxia; Chen, Xiyao; Li, Junjun; Lin, Guimin; Qiang, Zexuan; Qiu, Yishen; Li, Hui

2011-12-01

We report an 1×3 optical drop splitter (ODS) based on a self-collimation ring resonator (SCRR) in a rod-type silicon photonic crystal. The proposed 1×3 ODS consists of four beam splitters which are formed by changing the radius of one row of silicon rods. When the self-collimated light with resonance frequency is launched into the ODS, the light beam can be split into three parts come out from three drop ports while no light coming out from the through port. The splitting ratio of the three drop beams can be controlled by tuning the radii of the beam splitters. The FDTD method is employed to calculate the transmission of the 1×3 ODS. For the drop wavelength of 1550 nm, the free spectral range is 28.7 nm, which almost covers the whole optical communication C-band window. This 1×3 ODS may have applications in photonic integrated circuits.

Early effects of Lansoprazole orally disintegrating tablets on intragastric pH in CYP2C19 extensive metabolizers

PubMed Central

Yamagishi, Hatsushi; Koike, Tomoyuki; Ohara, Shuichi; Horii, Toru; Kikuchi, Ryousuke; Kobayashi, Shigeyuki; Abe, Yasuhiko; Iijima, Katsunori; Imatani, Akira; Suzuki, Kaori; Hishinuma, Takanori; Goto, Junichi; Shimosegawa, Tooru

2008-01-01

AIM: To compare rabeprazole (RPZ; 10 mg) with Lansoprazole orally disintegrating tablets (LPZ; 30 mg OD) in terms of antisecretory activity and blood drug concentration after a single dose. METHODS: Eight H pylori-negative cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 extensive metabolizers were assigned to receive a single oral dose of RPZ 10 mg or LPZ 30 mg OD. Twelve hour intragastric pH monitoring was performed on the day of treatment. Blood samples were also collected after the administration of each drug. RESULTS: LPZ 30 mg OD induced a significantly earlier rise in blood drug concentration than RPZ 10 mg; consequently, LPZ 30 mg OD induced a significantly earlier rise in median pH in the third and fourth hours of the study. CONCLUSION: In H pylori-negative CYP2C19 extensive metabolizers, LPZ 30 mg OD induced a significantly faster inhibition of gastric acid secretion than RPZ 10 mg. PMID:18395905

STS-71 hardware assembly view

NASA Image and Video Library

1994-12-02

S94-47810 (2 Dec. 1994) --- Lockheed Space Operations Company workers in the Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO) Facility, located inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), carefully hoist the Orbiter Docking System (ODS) from its shipping container into a test stand. The ODS was shipped in a horizontal position to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) from contractor Rockwell Aerospace's Downey plant. Once the ODS is upright, work can continue to prepare the hardware for the first docking of the United States Space Shuttle and Russian Space Station MIR in 1995. The ODS contains both United States-made and Russian-made hardware. The black band is Russian-made thermal insulation protecting part of the docking mechanism, also Russian-made, called the Androgynous Peripheral Docking System (APDS). A red protective cap covers the APDS itself. Other elements of the ODS, most of it protected by white United States-made thermal insulation, were developed by Rockwell, which also integrated and checked out the assembled Russian-United States system.

Comparative thermal fatigue resistance of several oxide dispersion strengthened alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whittenberger, J. D.; Bizon, P. T.

1981-01-01

The thermal fatigue resistance of several oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys has been evaluated through cyclic exposure in fluidized beds. The ODS nickel-base alloy MA 754 and ODS iron-base alloy MA 956 as well as four experimental ODS Ni-16Cr-4.5Al base alloys with and without Ta additions were examined. Both bare and coated alloys were subjected to up to 6000 cycles where each cycle consisted of a 3 minute immersion in a fluidized bed at 1130 C followed by a 3 minute immersion in a bed at 357 C. Testing revealed that the thermal fatigue resistance of the ODS nickel-base alloys was excellent and about equal to that of directionally solidified superalloys. However, the thermal fatigue resistance of MA 956 was found to be poor. Metallographic examination of tested specimens revealed that, in general, the post-test microstructures can be rationalized on the basis of previous diffusion, mechanical property, and oxidation studies.

Long-Term Visual Training Increases Visual Acuity and Long-Term Monocular Deprivation Promotes Ocular Dominance Plasticity in Adult Standard Cage-Raised Mice

PubMed Central

Yusifov, Rashad

2018-01-01

Abstract For routine behavioral tasks, mice predominantly rely on olfactory cues and tactile information. In contrast, their visual capabilities appear rather restricted, raising the question whether they can improve if vision gets more behaviorally relevant. We therefore performed long-term training using the visual water task (VWT): adult standard cage (SC)-raised mice were trained to swim toward a rewarded grating stimulus so that using visual information avoided excessive swimming toward nonrewarded stimuli. Indeed, and in contrast to old mice raised in a generally enriched environment (Greifzu et al., 2016), long-term VWT training increased visual acuity (VA) on average by more than 30% to 0.82 cycles per degree (cyc/deg). In an individual animal, VA even increased to 1.49 cyc/deg, i.e., beyond the rat range of VAs. Since visual experience enhances the spatial frequency threshold of the optomotor (OPT) reflex of the open eye after monocular deprivation (MD), we also quantified monocular vision after VWT training. Monocular VA did not increase reliably, and eye reopening did not initiate a decline to pre-MD values as observed by optomotry; VA values rather increased by continued VWT training. Thus, optomotry and VWT measure different parameters of mouse spatial vision. Finally, we tested whether long-term MD induced ocular dominance (OD) plasticity in the visual cortex of adult [postnatal day (P)162–P182] SC-raised mice. This was indeed the case: 40–50 days of MD induced OD shifts toward the open eye in both VWT-trained and, surprisingly, also in age-matched mice without VWT training. These data indicate that (1) long-term VWT training increases adult mouse VA, and (2) long-term MD induces OD shifts also in adult SC-raised mice. PMID:29379877

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in southern districts of Tamil Nadu using IgG-ELISA.

PubMed

Sucilathangam, G; Palaniappan, N; Sreekumar, C; Anna, T

2012-10-01

The present study was conducted to assess the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in and around Tirunelveli by in-house IgG assay using ELISA. Serum samples from 175 immunodeficient and 175 immunocompetent patients were collected at Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu from May 2006 to October 2007. They were subjected into in-house IgG assay using enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) in which tachyzoite soluble antigen derived from solubilised whole organisms was used. Out of 350 patients tested by IgG ELISA, 46 patients (13.14%) had antibodies for toxoplasmosis with mean OD value of 0.2 ± 0.073 and the OD value ranged from 0.144 to 0.444. Among the immunocompetent group of 175 patients, 19 patients (10.86%) had antibodies to toxoplasmosis whereas, in immunodeficient group of 175 patients, 27 patients (15.43%) had antibodies for toxoplasmosis. There was no statistical difference (P > 0.05) between the immunocompetent and immunodeficient group. The sensitivity and specificity of IgG ELISA in detecting toxoplasmosis was 90 and 100%, respectively. The overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in and around Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu was 13.14% based on IgG ELISA. The study has proved ELISA to be a sensitive and specific procedure for the serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis.

Strangeness Photoproduction at the BGO-OD Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jude, T. C.; Alef, S.; Bayadilov, D.; Beck, R.; Becker, M.; Bella, A.; Bielefeldt, P.; Boese, S.; Braghieri, A.; Brinkmann, K.; Cole, P.; Curciarello, F.; De Leo, V.; Di Salvo, R.; Dutz, H.; Elsner, D.; Fantini, A.; Freyermuth, O.; Friedrich, S.; Frommberger, F.; Ganenko, V.; Gervino, G.; Ghio, F.; Giardina, G.; Goertz, S.; Gridnev, A.; Gutz, E.; Hammann, D.; Hannappel, J.; Hartmann, P.; Hillert, W.; Ignatov, A.; Jahn, R.; Joosten, R.; Klein, F.; Koop, K.; Krusche, B.; Lapik, A.; Levi Sandri, P.; Lopatin, I. V.; Mandaglio, G.; Messi, F.; Messi, R.; Metag, V.; Moricciani, D.; Mushkarenkov, A.; Nanova, M.; Nedorezov, V.; Novinskiy, D.; Pedroni, P.; Reitz, B.; Romaniuk, M.; Rostomyan, T.; Rudnev, N.; Scheluchin, G.; Schmieden, H.; Stugelev, A.; Sumachev, V.; Tarakanov, V.; Vegna, V.; Walther, D.; Watts, D.; Zaunick, H.; Zimmermann, T.

BGO-OD is a newly commissioned experiment to investigate the internal structure of the nucleon, using an energy tagged bremsstrahlung photon beam at the ELSA electron facility. The setup consists of a highly segmented BGO calorimeter surrounding the target, with a particle tracking magnetic spectrometer at forward angles. BGO-OD is ideal for investigating meson photoproduction. The extensive physics programme for open strangeness photoproduction is introduced, and preliminary analysis presented.

An Organizational Development Handbook

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-09-01

their own sense about OD. For that reason, Richard Beckhard’s definition was selected for this handbook. Beckhard combined the philosophies of process ...and expert consultation. Briefly, process consultation is when the OD consultant assists and allows the client to discover his own answers of solutions...interventions in the organization’s process - es," using behavioral-science knowledge." [Ref. l:p. 9] It is a planned change effort. "An OD program

77 FR 64478 - Circular Welded Carbon-Quality Steel Pipe From India: Final Determination of Sales at Less Than...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-22

....D. and 0.165 inch wall thickness (gage 8) 4.000 inch O.D. and 0.148 inch wall thickness (gage 9) 4.000 inch O.D. and 0.165 inch wall thickness (gage 8) 4.500 inch O.D. and 0.203 inch wall thickness... investigation is Zenith Birla (India) Limited (previously known as Zenith Steel Pipes and Industries Ltd...

77 FR 64471 - Circular Welded Carbon-Quality Steel Pipe From the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Final Negative...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-22

... (gage 8) 4.000 inch O.D. and 0.148 inch wall thickness (gage 9) 4.000 inch O.D. and 0.165 inch wall thickness (gage 8) 4.500 inch O.D. and 0.203 inch wall thickness (gage 7) The pipe subject to this... 4, 2012, the Department issued an additional supplemental questionnaire to the GOV, and it received...

Orbit Determination Strategy and Simulation Performance for OSIRIS-REx Proximity Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leonard, Jason M.; Antreasian, Peter G.; Jackman, Coralie D.; Page, Brian; Wibben, Daniel R.; Moreau, Michael C.

2017-01-01

The Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security Regolith Explorer (OSIRISREx)is a NASA New Frontiers mission to the near-earth asteroid Bennu that will rendez vousin 2018, create a comprehensive and detailed set of observations over several years, collect a regolith sample, and return the sample to Earth in 2023. The Orbit Determination (OD) team isa sub-section of the Flight Dynamics System responsible for generating precise reconstructions and predictions of the spacecraft trajectory. The OD team processes radiometric data, LIDAR, as well as center-finding and landmark-based Optical Navigation images throughout the proximity operations phase to estimate and predict the spacecraft location within several meters. Stringent knowledge requirements stress the OD teams concept of operations and procedures to produce verified and consistent high quality solutions for observation planning, maneuver planning, and onboard sequencing. This paper will provide insight into the OD concept of operations and summarize the OD performance expected during the approach and early proximity operation phases,based on our pre-encounter knowledge of Bennu. Strategies and methods used to compare and evaluate predicted and reconstructed solutions are detailed. The use of high fidelity operational tests during early 2017 will stress the teams concept of operations and ability to produce precise OD solutions with minimal turn-around delay.

Association of positive screening for dysphagia with nutritional status and long-term mortality in hospitalized elderly patients.

PubMed

Mañas-Martínez, Ana B; Bucar-Barjud, Marina; Campos-Fernández, Julia; Gimeno-Orna, José Antonio; Pérez-Calvo, Juan; Ocón-Bretón, Julia

2018-04-24

To assess the prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) using the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) and its association with malnutrition and long-term mortality. A retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to the general internal medicine ward. In the first 48hours after hospital admission, OD was assessed using the EAT-10, and presence of malnutrition with the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF). Association of OD to malnutrition and long-term mortality was analyzed. Ninety patients with a mean age of 83 (SD: 11.8) years were enrolled. Of these, 56.7% were at risk of OD according to EAT-10. This group of patients had greater prevalence rates of malnutrition (88.2% vs. 48.7%; P=.001) and mortality (70% vs 35.9%; P=.001). During follow-up for 872.71 (SD: 642.89) days, risk of DO according to EAT-10 was an independent predictor of mortality factor in a multivariate analysis (HR: 2.8; 95%CI: 1.49-5.28; P=.001). The EAT-10 is a useful tool for screening OD. Adequate screening for OD is important because of its associated risks of malnutrition and long-term mortality. Copyright © 2018 SEEN y SED. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Donating blood and organs: using an extended theory of planned behavior perspective to identify similarities and differences in individual motivations to donate.

PubMed

Hyde, Melissa K; Knowles, Simon R; White, Katherine M

2013-12-01

Due to the critical shortage and continued need of blood and organ donations (ODs), research exploring similarities and differences in the motivational determinants of these behaviors is needed. In a sample of 258 university students, we used a cross-sectional design to test the utility of an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) including moral norm, self-identity and in-group altruism (family/close friends and ethnic group), to predict people's blood and OD intentions. Overall, the extended TPB explained 77.0% and 74.6% of variance in blood and OD intentions, respectively. In regression analyses, common contributors to intentions across donation contexts were attitude, self-efficacy and self-identity. Normative influences varied with subjective norm as a significant predictor related to OD intentions but not blood donation intentions at the final step of regression analyses. Moral norm did not contribute significantly to blood or OD intentions. In-group altruism (family/close friends) was significantly related to OD intentions only in regressions. Future donation strategies should increase confidence to donate, foster a perception of self as the type of person who donates blood and/or organs, and address preferences to donate organs to in-group members only.

Long-range activation of Sox9 in Odd Sex (Ods) mice.

PubMed

Qin, Yangjun; Kong, Ling-kun; Poirier, Christophe; Truong, Cavatina; Overbeek, Paul A; Bishop, Colin E

2004-06-15

The Odd Sex mouse mutation arose in a transgenic line of mice carrying a tyrosinase minigene driven by the dopachrome tautomerase (Dct) promoter region. The minigene integrated 0.98 Mb upstream of Sox9 and was accompanied by a deletion of 134 kb. This mutation causes female to male sex reversal in XX Ods/+ mice, and a characteristic eye phenotype of microphthalmia with cataracts in all mice carrying the transgene. Ods causes sex reversal in the absence of Sry by upregulating Sox9 expression and maintaining a male pattern of Sox9 expression in XX Ods/+ embryonic gonads. This expression, which begins at E11.5, triggers downstream events leading to the formation of a testis. We report here that the 134 kb deletion, in itself, is insufficient to cause sex reversal. We demonstrate that in Ods, the Dct promoter is capable of acting over a distance of 1 Mb to induce inappropriate expression of Sox9 in the retinal pigmented epithelium of the eye, causing the observed microphthalmia. In addition, it induces Sox9 expression in the melanocytes where it causes pigmentation defects. We propose that Ods sex reversal is due to the Dct promoter element interacting with gonad-specific enhancer elements to produce the observed male pattern expression of Sox9 in the embryonic gonads.

[Prevention of occupational dermatitis in an international perspective].

PubMed

Montomoli, L; Paolucci, V; Sartorelli, P

2012-01-01

Occupational dermatitis (OD) have always been a significant part of the occupational disease with huge social and economic costs. Traditionally, the standard program of OD prevention takes place in the three phases of protection, cleansing and use of emollient creams and other products able to improve the cutaneous trophism (skincare) at the end of the shiftwork. However, in countries like Germany where protection measures and skincare were widespread, there was not a simultaneous decrease in the OD. In recent years pilot programs for the prevention of OD have been implemented with positive results. In particular the integrated approach that includes three steps of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention (Osnabrueck model) is of great interest. Primary prevention is represented by introduction of technical regulations, pre-employment counselling and specific initiatives to promote health (healthy skin campaign). In the case of initial/minor OD, secondary prevention is accomplished through the dermatological treatment of the patient and 1-2 days outpatient education initiatives/skin protection training. In severe cases of individual OD, tertiary prevention involves the hospitalization of the patient in a dermatology department. In 2009 the European network EPOS (European Initiative for the Prevention of Occupational Skin Diseases) of preventive dermatology has been organized basing on the integrated approach of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.

Optical storage with electromagnetically induced transparency in cold atoms at a high optical depth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Shanchao; Zhou, Shuyu; Liu, Chang; Chen, J. F.; Wen, Jianming; Loy, M. M. T.; Wong, G. K. L.; Du, Shengwang

2012-06-01

We report experimental demonstration of efficient optical storage with electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a dense cold ^85Rb atomic ensemble trapped in a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap. By varying the optical depth (OD) from 0 to 140, we observe that the optimal storage efficiency for coherent optical pulses has a saturation value of 50% as OD > 50. Our result is consistent with that obtained from hot vapor cell experiments which suggest that a four-wave mixing nonlinear process degrades the EIT storage coherence and efficiency. We apply this EIT quantum memory for narrow-band single photons with controllable waveforms, and obtain an optimal storage efficiency of 49±3% for single-photon wave packets. This is the highest single-photon storage efficiency reported up to today and brings the EIT atomic quantum memory close to practical application because an efficiency of above 50% is necessary to operate the memory within non-cloning regime and beat the classical limit.

Dual therapy of vildagliptin and telmisartan on diabetic nephropathy in experimentally induced type 2 diabetes mellitus rats.

PubMed

Sharma, Ashish Kumar; Kanawat, Devendra Singh; Mishra, Akanksha; Dhakad, Prashant Kumar; Sharma, Prashant; Srivastava, Varnika; Joshi, Sneha; Joshi, Megha; Raikwar, Sachin Kumar; Kurmi, Muneem Kumar; Srinivasan, Bharthu Parthsarthi

2014-12-01

The objective of this article is to investigate the combination of telmisartan with vildagliptin therapy versus monotherapy of vildagliptin and telmisartan on diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus rats. In adult rats streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) and nicotinamide (110 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally to produce diabetic nephropathy. Rats of either sex allotted to the following groups: (i) triple therapy: metformin (120 mg/kg, o.d.) + pioglitazone (1.25 mg/kg, o.d.) + glimepiride (0.7 mg/kg, o.d.); (ii) dual therapy: vildagliptin (8.76 mg/kg, o.d.) + telmisartan (6.48 mg/kg, o.d.); (iii) vildagliptin (8.76 mg/kg, o.d.); and (iv) telmisartan (6.48 mg/kg, o.d.); therapy was carried out for 35 days orally. Weekly at days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35, blood pressure, blood glucose level, body weight, blood serum creatinine level, protein albumin level in urine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were estimated. Renal structural changes were observed. Blood pressure, blood glucose level, blood serum creatinine level, protein albumin level in urine, BUN and renal deterioration increased significantly in diabetic rats compared with normal control rats. The vildagliptin + telmisartan treatment group showed no weight gain and controlled blood pressure, renovascular structural and biochemical parameters in diabetic neuropathy rats. The addition of telmisartan to vildagliptin demonstrated the best control over blood pressure, glycemia and diabetic nephropathy markers, renal structural changes and improvement of renal function as opposed to monotherapy with either drug, possibly because of the dual inhibitory effect on the renin-angiotensin system. © The Author(s) 2013.

Oral diseases: a 14-year experience of a Chilean institution with a systematic review from eight countries

PubMed Central

Jones-Herrera, Carolina; Vargas, Pablo; Venegas, Bernardo; Droguett, Daniel

2017-01-01

Background Retrospective studies to assess the distribution of oral diseases (ODs) are helpful in estimating the prevalence of oral diagnoses in the population, and thus help in preventive and curative services. Prevalence and frequency data for ODs are available from many countries, but information from Chile is scarce. Material and Methods This study investigated the frequency of ODs in a Chilean population. For this, we included all patients treated at the University of Talca (UTALCA, Chile) between 2001 and 2014. Patient characteristics were retrieved from medical files. To contextualize our results, we conducted a systematic review (SystRev) using Publish or Perish software (PoP), Google Scholar and MEDLINE/PubMed. Results One hundred sixty-six ODs were diagnosed, and the most prevalent groups were soft tissue tumours, epithelial pathology and salivary gland pathology. Individually, irritation fibroma, oral lichen planus (OLP) and mucocele were the most common diagnoses. ODs frequently affected unspecified parts of the mouth (including cheek, vestibule and retromolar area), gum, lips, tongue and palate. In the SystRev, the more studied diagnoses were leukoplakia, OLP and recurrent aphthous stomatitis; prevalent lesions included Fordyce’s spots, recurrent aphthous stomatitis and fissured tongue. Chilean patients and SistRev shared almost all ODs. Conclusions The results reflect ODs diagnosed in a specialized service of oral pathology and medicine in Chile and will allow the establishment of preventive/curative policies, adequate health services and dentistry curriculum. Key words:Stomatognathic diseases, mouth diseases, oral mucosal lesions, epidemiology, Chilean population, retrospective cohort study. PMID:28390130

Statistical inferences for data from studies conducted with an aggregated multivariate outcome-dependent sample design

PubMed Central

Lu, Tsui-Shan; Longnecker, Matthew P.; Zhou, Haibo

2016-01-01

Outcome-dependent sampling (ODS) scheme is a cost-effective sampling scheme where one observes the exposure with a probability that depends on the outcome. The well-known such design is the case-control design for binary response, the case-cohort design for the failure time data and the general ODS design for a continuous response. While substantial work has been done for the univariate response case, statistical inference and design for the ODS with multivariate cases remain under-developed. Motivated by the need in biological studies for taking the advantage of the available responses for subjects in a cluster, we propose a multivariate outcome dependent sampling (Multivariate-ODS) design that is based on a general selection of the continuous responses within a cluster. The proposed inference procedure for the Multivariate-ODS design is semiparametric where all the underlying distributions of covariates are modeled nonparametrically using the empirical likelihood methods. We show that the proposed estimator is consistent and developed the asymptotically normality properties. Simulation studies show that the proposed estimator is more efficient than the estimator obtained using only the simple-random-sample portion of the Multivariate-ODS or the estimator from a simple random sample with the same sample size. The Multivariate-ODS design together with the proposed estimator provides an approach to further improve study efficiency for a given fixed study budget. We illustrate the proposed design and estimator with an analysis of association of PCB exposure to hearing loss in children born to the Collaborative Perinatal Study. PMID:27966260

Comparison of the efficacy and safety between interspinous process distraction device and open decompression surgery in treating lumbar spinal stenosis: a meta analysis.

PubMed

Hong, Peiwei; Liu, Yao; Li, Hedong

2015-02-01

The present study performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of interspinous process distraction device (IPD) compared with open decompression surgery (ODS) in treating lumbar spinal stenosis. Literatures were searched in the databases including Cochrane Library, Pubmed, OvidSP, Sciencedirect, Web of Science, and Springerlin. Published reviews were checked to track missed original research papers. The quality and bias of publications with randomized controlled trial were evaluated using the tool for assessing risk of bias in the Cochrane handbook. The quality and bias of publications with cohort trial were evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The grades of literatures were evaluated with the guidelines of Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Totally, 21 publications matched the inclusion criteria, including 20 different clinical trials and 54,138 patients. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in improvement rate, Oswestry disability index questionnaire (ODI) score, and visual analog scale (VAS) score of back pain or leg pain between IPD group and ODS group. The postoperation complication rate, perioperation blood loss, hospitalization time, and operation time were lower/shorter in IPD group than ODS group. However, the reoperation rate in IPD group was higher than ODS group. The results indicated that IPD has better effects and less complication than ODS. However, because of the higher reoperation rate in IPD than ODS, we failed to conclude that IPD could replace ODS as golden standard but may be a viable alternative in treating lumbar spinal stenosis.

Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale (R-ODS) for immune-mediated peripheral neuropathies.

PubMed

van Nes, S I; Vanhoutte, E K; van Doorn, P A; Hermans, M; Bakkers, M; Kuitwaard, K; Faber, C G; Merkies, I S J

2011-01-25

To develop a patient-based, linearly weighted scale that captures activity and social participation limitations in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), and gammopathy-related polyneuropathy (MGUSP). A preliminary Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale (R-ODS) containing 146 activity and participation items was constructed, based on the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, literature search, and patient interviews. The preliminary R-ODS was assessed twice (interval: 2-4 weeks; test-retest reliability studies) in 294 patients who experienced GBS in the past (n = 174) or currently have stable CIDP (n = 80) or MGUSP (n = 40). Data were analyzed using the Rasch unidimensional measurement model (RUMM2020). The preliminary R-ODS did not meet the Rasch model expectations. Based on disordered thresholds, misfit statistics, item bias, and local dependency, items were systematically removed to improve the model fit, regularly controlling the class intervals and model statistics. Finally, we succeeded in constructing a 24-item scale that fulfilled all Rasch requirements. "Reading a newspaper/book" and "eating" were the 2 easiest items; "standing for hours" and "running" were the most difficult ones. Good validity and reliability were obtained. The R-ODS is a linearly weighted scale that specifically captures activity and social participation limitations in patients with GBS, CIDP, and MGUSP. Compared to the Overall Disability Sum Score, the R-ODS represents a wider range of item difficulties, thereby better targeting patients with different ability levels. If responsive, the R-ODS will be valuable for future clinical trials and follow-up studies in these conditions.

Metabolic cooperation of ascorbic acid and glutathione in normal and vitamin C-deficient ODS rats.

PubMed

Wang, Y; Kashiba, M; Kasahara, E; Tsuchiya, M; Sato, E F; Utsumi, K; Inoue, M

2001-01-01

Although the coordination of various antioxidants is important for the protection of organisms from oxidative stress, dynamic aspects of the interaction of endogenous antioxidants in vivo remain to be elucidated. We studied the metabolic coordination of two naturally occurring water-soluble antioxidants, ascorbic acid (AA) and reduced glutathione (GSH), in liver, kidney and plasma of control and scurvy-prone osteogenic disorder Shionogi (ODS) rats that hereditarily lack the ability to synthesize AA. When supplemented with AA, its levels in liver and kidney of ODS rats increased to similar levels of those in control rats. Hepato-renal levels of glutathione were similar with the two animal groups except for the slight increase in its hepatic levels in AA-supplemented ODS rats. Administration of L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a specific inhibitor of GSH synthesis, rapidly decreased the hepato-renal levels of glutathione in a biphasic manner, a rapid phase followed by a slower phase. Kinetic analysis revealed that glutathione turnover was enhanced significantly in liver mitochondria and renal cytosol of ODS rats. Administration of BSO significantly increased AA levels in the liver and kidney of control rats but decreased them in AA-supplemented ODS rats. Kinetic analysis revealed that AA is synthesized by control rat liver by some BSO-enhanced mechanism and the de novo synthesized AA is transferred to the kidney. Such a coordination of the metabolism of GSH and AA in liver and kidney is suppressed in AA-deficient ODS rats. These and other results suggest that the metabolism of AA and GSH forms a compensatory network by which oxidative stress can be decreased.

[Oocyte donation in France and national balance sheet (GEDO). Different European approaches].

PubMed

Letur-Könirsch, H

2004-02-01

Oocyte donation (OD), a technique successfully used in Assisted reproductive techniques (ART), has been effective for 20 years as the palliative treatment of certain exocrine ovarian failures. Its indications have also been extended to cover some genetic diseases and documented occult ovarian insufficiency. In France, after an extensive judicial and ethical deliberation, OD was deemed legal and its practice was proscribed in the Bioethics Laws 94-653 and 94-654 of 29 July 1994. Its essential underlying principles are: voluntary, free, anonymous and confidential OD; according to a French decree to meet safety concerns, OD-derived embryos must be quarantined for six months. In vitro fertilization (IVF) programs using donated oocytes are conducted in authorized centers under the responsibility of physicians authorized to retrieve and manipulate donated oocytes. The managers of these programs are the system's keystone, as their role includes, among other, the verification of indications, legal documents, public health safety, anonymous pairing of donor and recipient, and the collection of outcome data. At present, depending of the year, French programs have achieved 17-22% clinical pregnancy rates from transferred OD-derived frozen-thawed embryos, and follow-up studies reported excellent results concerning family relationships, and the physical and psychological development of the children. However, difficulties encountered in the daily practice of OD have led concerned physicians to form the Study group for OD (GEDO) to explore different topics with the aim of improving the overall management of this form of ART. We discussed these points herein, in comparison with the approaches of other European countries.